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Programs

EVAAM offers a variety of programs to educate, inspire, and continue the legacy of those that came before us.​ Each program unpacks the DNA strands and lineage of music that begins in Africa and continues through today's music in the United States.

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Music is always in a continuous state of evolving, refining, adapting, enhancing, and changing. The evolution of African American music continues with each new song composed, band formed, performance given, and album released.​​​

Live orchestra on stage with O'JAYS screen and audience.

1. Evolution of African American Music Camp

An exploration of 400 years of Black music from Africa to Hip Hop

Participants: Instrumentalists, Vocalists, and Learners of All Levels​

 

What It Is: A five-day immersive music camp for instrumentalists, vocalists, and learners of all levels, combining music performance with cultural and historical understanding.​

 

The Evolution of African American Music Camp guides students on a dynamic journey through 400 years of Black musical traditions. Participants explore the origins, techniques, and cultural significance of styles ranging from African rhythms to folk, spirituals, blues, gospel, jazz, soul and hip-hop. With daily ensemble work, history sessions, hands-on workshops, and special guest instruction, students deepen their musical skills while understanding the legacy behind the music. The week concludes with a powerful evening performance featuring all participants.

​Musical Styles Explored:

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African Folk Music

(rhythm, storytelling, and community traditions)

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Spirituals & Work Songs

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Blues

(expressions of struggle, hope, and transformation)

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Jazz

(innovation, improvisation, and freedom)

 

Gospel & Soul

(faith, emotion, and powerful vocal expression)

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Hip-Hop & Contemporary Black Music

(beats, poetry, and modern cultural influence)

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2. Sing Our Story: Community Sings

Public events where people of all ages gather to experience the transformative power of singing, storytelling, and movement while celebrating 400 years of Black music history

Songs Circles are open to the public community singing experiences that encourage singing and self-expression that builds a sense of community for participants.

 

We invite everyone—regardless of experience or "skills"—to join us with an open mind, a playful spirit, and a willingness to explore the rich traditions and cultural heritage that unite us all. Together, we honor the past while creating harmony in the present.  

The repertoire is curated from 400 years of African American musical expression, including early folk music, African works songs, cowboy songs, Gullah patois songs, Civil war songs, spirituals, civil rights songs as well as Jazz and R&B Classics.

 

African American Movement and Traditions:

 

  • The Cakewalk

  • The Ring Shout

  • Easter Rock

  • Soul Train Line 

  • Dances of The 60’s (The Twist, The Jerk, Funky Broadway, The Watusi, etc.,)

  • Second Line

  • Patting Juba

Partial Song List:

 

Spirituals and Folk Songs

  • Wade in the Water / Spiritual Medley

  • Falle Welle Shisha Malle (Gullah/Geechie)

  • I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry (Long Meter Hymn)

  • We Look Like Men (Civil War Song)

  • Civil Rights and Freedom Songs

  • Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around

  • Lift Every Voice and Sing

  • All I Want Is Union

  • We Shall Overcome


African Roots

  • Akilongo

  • Babethandaza

  • Shango

  • Echuo

Jazz

  • What a Wonderful World

  • I Wish I Knew How It Feels to Be Free

  • Billie’s Bounce (Bebop)

 

Soul and R&B

  • Lean on Me

  • A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)

  • People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield)

  • Modern and Contemporary

  • Glory (John Legend and Common)

  • Happy (Pharrell Williams)

  • Stand Up (Cynthia Erivo)

 

Classic Blues Sing-Alongs

  • Sweet Home Chicago

  • Let the Good Times Roll

  • Stormy Monday

3. The Freedom Train Ensemble 

Thematic concerts ranging from small combo to orchestral performances

The Freedom Train Ensemble is a culturally relevant ensemble of musicians, vocalists, spoken word artists and dancers who specialize in traditional and contemporary music inspired by African American History. The Freedom Train Ensemble’s repertoire is curated from over 400 years of African American cultural expression and follows the timeline that flows from African and American folk music to spirituals and blues, from soul to jazz and on to Hip Hop.  

The Freedom Train Ensemble acts as cultural archivists by presenting and informing audiences about lost and disappearing African American cultural traditions such as the Ring Shout, the Cakewalk, the Easter Rock, Military songs of the Colored Troops of The Civil War, Gullah Geechee traditions and music from the Civil Rights.

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Where: Festivals, concert halls, churches, schools, corporate venues, and more

“The Freedom Train Ensemble is very interactive with its audience,” said Bruce A. Henry. “Our message is about the universal role that music has played in building community and the role of art and music in the struggle for freedom. It’s important to me that Freedom Train Ensemble performances are uplifting and entertaining, but also informative about the African American experience.”  

Concert Themes:

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  • Evolution of African American Music (A 400-Year Journey Through Time and Culture)

  • A Journey Through Jazz

  • Sheroes and Heroes

  • Jazz Dreams: Celebrating MLK’s Legacy

  • Watch That Star: (400 years of Protest Music)

  • Sweet Home Chicago (Legends of Jazz, Blues, and Soul)

  • The Music of Curtis Mayfield

  • Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On

  • The Birth of Gospel Music

4. EVAAM Lectures

Interactive, scholarly, and multimedia lectures suitable for levels of education, churches, school residencies, corporate venues, and public libraries

Bruce Henry’s Evolution of African American Music lectures and residencies are known to be "transformative," "inspirational," and "educational." Henry, an internationally known vocalist and historian, uses a mix of multimedia, performance, and storytelling to trace the history of Black music from its African roots to contemporary genres like hip-hop. 

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Henry rejects the traditional concept of an audience, and instead creates a communal experience where listeners participate.

Lecture Topics:

 

  • History of Jazz 

  • History of Blues

  • History of Gospel

  • Protest Music 

  • African Women in Music

  • Chicago Black Music History

  • Chicago’s Record Row 

  • Hip Hop

  • Protest Music

  • Classical Music

  • Black Folk Music of the 19th Century

  • Evolution of African American Music (400 Year Journey)

  • Soul Music

5. EVAAM Residencies & Informances

Residencies and informances adaptable to all levels of education

Residencies are generally 1–2-week experiences that can be customized to suit specific educational needs. Options include a complete overview or an expanded view of a specific genre.

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Residencies offer learners an opportunity to work across disciplines.

​​Interdisciplinary Subjects:

 

  • Vocal and Instrumental Performance

  • Theater

  • Public Speaking

  • Multimedia Creation

  • Social Studies

  • Literary Arts

  • Dance

  • Visual Arts

  • Music Appreciation​

6. Evolution of African American Music Curriculum

Curriculum designed to teach youth and adults about the long history of African American music

The curriculum is perfect for middle and secondary classrooms, home school settings, college courses, and adult learning opportunities such as professional development or individual learning. It easily connects to educational standards, music curriculum, and social studies lessons.

Digital Curriculum Includes:

 

  • 20 lessons with background texts

  • Lesson plans and activities

  • Choral arrangements

  • Extensive bibliography

  • Slide deck of 274 slides

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