Seaford singers study legendary Black musicians

Nearly two centuries of music came alive for students at Seaford High School, who studied the contribution of Black musicians from the 1800s to present day. To mark Black History Month in February, each student from Yvonne Bendzlowicz’s chorus classes completed a digital presentation on a notable musician. 

February is the annual celebration of the lives, work and influence of Black Americans to United States history and culture, Bendzlowicz explained, including tremendous contributions in music. Students were tasked with creating a digital presentation detailing the many contributions of artists and composers. They studied their personal history and accomplishments and then presented their findings to the class.

“If a singer can recognize the pain behind a melody, the joy behind a groove, and the nobility of a fanfare, the performance can only benefit from that knowledge and the student benefits as well,” Bendzlowicz said. “Immersive study of a musical culture can increase more than a just the student’s knowledge.”

Students researched Black musicians from several genres and eras including Louis Armstrong, Jon Batiste, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Missy Elliot, Ella Fitzgerald, Richie Havens, Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston, Scott Joplin, Charley Pride, Nina Simone, Travis Scott and Stevie Wonder.

—Provided by the Seaford School District. Compiled by Brian Stieglitz.