When the Caged Bird Sings

~ Release by Nkeiru Okoye; Rita Coburn, Angela Brown, Christie Dashiell, Issachah Savage, Jubilant Sykes, Cyrus Chestnut, EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, University of Michigan University Choir, University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

Copyright: © 2026 Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd
℗ 2026 Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd

Annotation last modified on 2026-04-09 18:14 UTC.

Tracklist

1▼Digital Media
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Who am I supposed to be? (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir, Piano)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Who am I supposed to be? (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir, Piano)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye5:12
2When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Devotions (Soli, Choir)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Devotions (Soli, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye0:38
3When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Shine your light upon us (Celebrant, Congregants, Choir, Piano)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Lenora Green-Turner (soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
tenor vocals:
Tyrese Byrd (tenor) and LaVonté Heard (tenor)
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": Shine your light upon us (Celebrant, Congregants, Choir, Piano)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye7:30
4When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": The Beatitudes (Celebrant, Congregants with Soprano Improvisations, Choir)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Nicole Joseph (soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 1 "Gather Together in My Name": The Beatitudes (Celebrant, Congregants with Soprano Improvisations, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye6:11
5When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": Cerise's Story, Part 1: You gave me a baby girl (Soprano [as Mother], Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": Cerise's Story, Part 1: You gave me a baby girl (Soprano [as Mother], Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye6:13
6When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": He Saw Her Beauty (Tenor)
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": He Saw Her Beauty (Tenor)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye2:47
7When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": I am Thine, O Lord (Celebrant, Soprano, Congregants, Choir)
drums (drum set) [drumset]:
David Wang (drummer)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": I am Thine, O Lord (Celebrant, Soprano, Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye2:52
8When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": Sometimes life gets ugly (Celebrant, Mezzo-soprano, Congregants, Choir)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 2 "Now Sheba Sings the Song": Sometimes life gets ugly (Celebrant, Mezzo-soprano, Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye8:58
9When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 3 "And Still I Rise": Cerise's Story, Part 2: I thought this life would protect us (Baritone [as Father], Congregants, Choir)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 3 "And Still I Rise": Cerise's Story, Part 2: I thought this life would protect us (Baritone [as Father], Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye9:35
10When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 3 "And Still I Rise": Pass me not, O Gentle Savior (Congregants)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 3 "And Still I Rise": Pass me not, O Gentle Savior (Congregants)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye2:19
11When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 4 "I Shall Not Be Moved": Cerise's Story, Part 3: It takes a village (Tenor [as Guidance Counselor], Congregants, Choir)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 4 "I Shall Not Be Moved": Cerise's Story, Part 3: It takes a village (Tenor [as Guidance Counselor], Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
quotes music from:
Missa pro defunctis: Sequentia “Dies irae” (plainchant)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye7:34
12When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 4 "I Shall Not Be Moved": Interlude - She shall not be moved (Congregants, Choir)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 4 "I Shall Not Be Moved": Interlude - She shall not be moved (Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye4:35
13When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Butterflies - Be Transformed (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Butterflies - Be Transformed (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye2:35
14When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Be Transformed (Celebrant, Congregants, Piano)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Be Transformed (Celebrant, Congregants, Piano)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye0:56
15When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": I'm so glad I found me (Soli, Celebrant, Choir)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": I'm so glad I found me (Soli, Celebrant, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye1:50
16When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Cerise's Story, Part 4: You sheltered me (Mezzo-soprano [as Cerise], Celebrant, Piano)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": Cerise's Story, Part 4: You sheltered me (Mezzo-soprano [as Cerise], Celebrant, Piano)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye4:23
17When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": When a Caged Bird Sings - Night turns to day (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
piano:
Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz composer and pianist)
alto vocals:
Christie Dashiell
baritone vocals:
Jubilant Sykes (baritone)
choir vocals:
EXIGENCE, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers and University of Michigan University Choir
soprano vocals:
Angela Brown (US operatic soprano)
spoken vocals:
Rita Coburn
tenor vocals:
Issachah Savage
orchestra:
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra
conductor:
Kenneth Kiesler (American conductor)
recorded at:
[premier of "When The Caged Bird SIngs"] (2024-02-24)
recording of:
When the Caged Bird Sings, Pt. 5 "A Song Flung up to Heaven": When a Caged Bird Sings - Night turns to day (Soli, Celebrant, Congregants, Choir)
composer:
Nkeiru Okoye (until 2024)
part of:
When the Caged Bird Sings
Nkeiru Okoye4:35