Caged Bird
When The Caged Bird Sings “A resplendent celebration of triumph in the face of adversity, the nurturing strength of community, and the profound transformative power wielded by Black women throughout history.” Guest Artists: Rita Coburn (narrator) Angela Brown (soprano) Christie Dashiell (alto) Issachah Savage (tenor) Jubilant Sykes (baritone) Cyrus Chestnut (pianist)
About the Album
Nkeiru Okoye’s When the Caged Bird Sings is a radiant musical celebration whose compositional language—rooted in the African American church tradition—also draws on minimalism and improvisation. Centered on a narrative of adversity transformed into triumph, the work honors the resilience and transformative power of African American women, echoing the spirit of Maya Angelou. Functioning as a kind of communal ritual, it blends elements of oratorio, opera, and theatre, uniting vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra in an experience that both commemorates and uplifts, pointing toward hope and possibility.
Cast:
Narrator - Rita Coburn
Soprano - Angela Brown
Alto - Christie Dashiell
Tenor - Issachah Savage
Baritone - Jubilant Sykes
Pianist - Cyrus Chestnut
EXIGENCE Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Eugene Rogers.
The University of Michigan School of Music, Orchestra and Chorus Conducted by Kenneth Kiesler
