In Their Own Words: Slave Life and the Power of Spirituals

This groundbreaking study of slavery and spirituals is the first to place the unique voices of an enslaved people squarely within the context of their daily lives. Dr. Guenther's deeply researched account weaves a succinct history of America s original sin into an examination of the role of singing and religion in slave life and directly correlates slave testimonies in their own words to the themes of Spirituals. In addition to surveying the musical styles, performance practices, and melodic and rhythmic characteristics of spirituals, In Their Own Words includes a biblical concordance to 100 of the spirituals most frequently sung. Paperback.

A church musician, teacher, scholar, and conductor, Dr. Eileen Guenther believes that Spirituals are the most powerful music created. She is Professor of Church Music at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she teaches music and worship courses and serves as Director of Chapel Music. Her work has carried her to Africa a dozen times as a teacher and leader of Seminary intercultural immersion trips.
Eileen presents workshops on Spirituals, clergy-musician relations, and music and social justice for church, musical, and denominational organizations nationwide. She holds master's and doctoral degrees in musicology and organ from The Catholic University of America. She has presented recitals internationally and served 2008-2014 as national president of the American Guild of Organists. Her acclaimed book, Rivals or a Team: Clergy-Musician Relationships in the 21st Century, was published in 2012 by MorningStar Music Publishers.