“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.”
— Tristan McKay, I Care if You Listen —
COMPOSER'S NOTE
"I envisioned this work as a ceremony—a space where music becomes a balm and a beacon. It is a call to gather, to witness, and to rise. Every phrase carries the weight of history and the promise of transformation."
At a Glance
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Duration: ~75 minutes
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Forces: Narrator; 4 Soloists (Soprano, Jazz Mezzo, Tenor, Baritone); SATB Chamber Choir of singing actors, portraying congregants in African American Church (10–12 professional singers); SATB Mass Choir; Full Orchestra
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Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes (2nd doubles English Horn), 2 Clarinets, Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns, 3 Trumpets, 2 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Harp, Piano, Strings
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Commissioned by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance through its Michigan Orchestra Repertoire for Equity initiative, When the Caged Bird Sings premiered at Hill Auditorium on February 10, 2024, with a distinguished cast led by Rita Coburn, Angela Brown, Christie Dashiell, Issachah Savage, Jubilant Sykes, and Cyrus Chestnut.
SYNOPSIS
When the Caged Bird Sings is a musical ceremony that evokes the spirit of an African American Protestant worship service, with the drama of opera woven through its fabric. At its center is Cerise, a modern Black heroine whose journey is not defined by tragedy, but by resilience, grace, and self-discovery.
Across five parts, the work moves through prayers, affirmations, and songs of praise, interwoven with operatic solos that give voice to a family and a community: a mother’s prayer (You Gave Me a Baby Girl), a father’s lament (I Thought This Life Would Protect Us), a guidance counselor’s plea (It Takes a Village), and Cerise’s own song of redemption (You Sheltered Me).
Through gospel-infused choruses, soaring solos, and symphonic textures, the piece blossoms from quiet reflection into communal celebration, culminating in transformation—a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. More than a concert work, When the Caged Bird Sings is a call to gather, to heal, and to rejoice—a testament to faith, community, and the power of rising above.
Okoye has crafted more than an oratorio; she has provided a blueprint for how a society might sing its way toward a collective, empowered future.
FEATURED EXCERPTS
BOOKING & SCORES
Book Dr. Okoye to speak at your event: Email
Scores & Parts: rentals@presser.com
Publisher: Theodore Presser Company
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
Choir Requirements:
Mass Choir: SATB, ideally minimum 30% African American voices
Chamber Choir/Congregants: 10–12 professional singers fluent in classical, gospel and spiritual performance practices.
Special Notes:
Gospel pianist improvisation sections, and performs standard notation
Optional supplemental gospel choir
Score Availability: Full score, piano-vocal reduction, choral parts via Theodore Presser
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Pre- and Post-Concert Talks
Dr. Nkeiru Okoye and Dr. Eugene Rogers offer interactive talks that frame the work’s cultural and musical context, fostering dialogue and audience engagement.
Workshops & Consulting
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Culturally Aware Producing: Getting to When the Caged Bird Sings
For producers and stakeholders: strategies for assembling the creative team, casting, and specialized marketing to increase African American attendance.
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Culturally Informed Interpretation
For conductor, director, cast, choir, and musicians:-
Part 1: How do I talk about… that?
Builds confidence in addressing cultural aspects of the production. -
Part 2: The Three “P”s: Performance Practice and Pronunciation
Coaching on African American musical subgenres within the score, superimposed on Western concert traditions—dramatically improving authenticity and impact.
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DEDICATION
This album honors the memory of Jubilant Sykes (1960–2025), whose extraordinary performance as the Father in the world premiere brought profound depth and humanity to this work.
Jubilant Sykes sings, "I thought this life would protect us" from WHEN THE CAGED BIRD SINGS.