With Black History Month coming to a close, the Nicholls music department and the Student Programming Association will celebrate by sponsoring the third annual “A Celebration of the Negro Spiritual” concert on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux.
Performers include students from the University as well as students from Dillard University, the University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Loyola University of New Orleans, Xavier University of New Orleans, and other guest artists.
This event is coordinated by assistant professor of music Valerie Francis and assistant director of the student union Melvin Harrison.
Francis started this event at Nicholls three years ago when she began teaching here.  She has put on the production at all her previous institutions as well.  
The concert is based on traditional programming that the Cimarron Circuit Opera Company of Norman, Okla., puts on annually.
Black History Month is a celebration that the music department focuses on each year.  Not only will students be performing at the concert, but faculty members will also participate.
Among the faculty participating at the concert is music instructor Donna Sammarco, who will accompany some students with piano.  This will be Sammarco’s first time participating in the “A Celebration of the Negro Spiritual” concert.
“I am looking forward to playing for the concert, but I am looking forward to being at it because I have heard that it is a truly wonderful event,” Sammarco said.
Francis also has a special connection with this performance because it was once under the direction of her late voice teacher, Thomas DeVore Carey.
“My voice teacher was an amazing man,” Francis said.  “He was supportive of every endeavor I attempted in my musical career.  He was my mentor and my friend.  I miss him terribly.  I have vowed to continue his legacy of commitment, responsibility, restraint, positive thinking, cultural awareness and excellence through the arts.  His devotion to his students was truly unique and I am proud and trying very hard to live up to the standards as an artist and teacher.”
Francis said she believes this performance is a good experience for students to present this “literature” to those attending the concert because they will be allowed to make the music their own as they perform, allowing their spirits to shine through.
Being born in the 1960s when racism was still prominent in American society, Francis said she feels a deep connection to this music as it relates to her childhood.
“Words cannot express the importance and significance of this beautiful music,” Francis said.  “As a person born in the 60s, I experienced the challenges of racial discrimination through integration and such.  I have been surrounded by this literature all of my life.  These songs reign from the very heart and soul of African slaves.  The joy that exerts from this music through these gorgeous melodies is just breathtaking.  This music came from a people that endured degradation daily, yet they were able to sing despite it all.  This music teaches perseverance, strength, endurance, survival through the struggle and ultimately victory.”