“The Fisk Jubilee Singers Set Out”, Fisk University, Photograph (1871)

Fisk University published a picture of the Jubilee Singers in 1871 onto their website called Fisk University. Fisk University is located in Nashville, Tennessee where the picture was also published. The purpose of the picture was to show the general public and parents of Fisk University students the faces of the brave first-ever Jubilee Singers and the musical journey they set out on. The Jubilee singers sent out with not much but hope in their hearts to perform and raise money for their school that was in debt. This image partnered with an excerpt about the group shares the journey the African American group faced to make funds for their school. This image shows the beginning mark for the African Americans’ music development of Gospel music and the accomplishments of the newly freed slaves.

“Fisk University, Its Music Program, And The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Programs, Appointments To Faculty, Awards And Achievements Of Associated Individuals”, Fisk University, News Release (1963)

Collection: The Claude A. Barnett Papers: 
The Associated Negro Press, 1918-1967, 
Part 3: Subject Files on Black Americans, 
1918-1967, Series B: Colleges and Universities, 
1918-1966 p.40

This news release from the Fisk University included a Music Program, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Programs, Appointments To Faculty, Awards, And Achievements Of Associated Individuals. It was published by Fisk University in 1963 in Nashville, Tennessee. The News Release was created for parents of Fisk University to read about the students in the Jubilee singer group and see a copy of their music program. It was also created to be stored in archives as an important history of Fisk University. The News Release includes files of letters, published and unpublished writing, and pamphlets of the Jubilee Singers. This music pamphlet and the news article commentary (on page 40 out of 50) written about the music pamphlet highlighted the success of the Jubilee Singers and the spread of Gospel music to the public sphere.