How sweet the sounds of Boyer

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on April 04, 2008

Horace Clarence Boyer sang his first solo, "Jesus Hear Me Praying," when he was 10 or 11.

It was the beginning of a musical career that's included more than 2,000 performances.

That initial solo was when "the full power of the music began to unfold," said Boyer in a conversation in his Amherst home, where with a score in his hand he spoke about his career as singer, pianist, composer and conductor, gospel music and an upcoming benefit concert.

Residents can hear the power of the music at the concert, "How Sweet the Sound," April 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church on 98 North Maple St. in Hadley. The proceeds benefit the Horace Clarence Boyer Gospel Music Fund at the University of Massachusetts that was established when Boyer retired in 1999. The fund will help spread American music in the Valley through programs and performances.

Throughout his career gospel has been the thread woven into his work beginning with that first solo.

Boyer was raised in Florida. "My parents struggled. But their survival was through the church and like many families we had family singing groups."

While there were five boys, he and his brother, James, became a duo, the Boyer Brothers. The two performed to raise money to go to college not only for themselves but their siblings. "We would go to class during the day, get people to drive us 40 miles away to a church concert and get back for lessons the next day."

James is a professor in Atlanta and directs the male choir at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Boyer attended the Eastman Conservatory of Music in Rochester, earning undergraduate, master's and doctorate degrees.

"I thought I would find salvation by going to university and becoming a professor only to find out gospel was driving force behind my search for the truth and knowledge and has been the avenue," he said. "I was born into gospel."

Boyer joined the UMass faculty in 1973, where he served as conductor of the Voices of New Africa House that was formed by musician Max Roach. The group performed all kinds of music, including gospel. He said gospel music became prevalent in the 1970s when people could no longer find solace or comfort in politics and economy. It provided a "kind of balm, kind of healing, gave people a feeling of worth."

Gospel is for everyone regardless of religion and ethnic background. "I've conducted community choral groups that had Christians, Jews, Muslims. For the moment when they sing a song, it's positive, enjoyable there are a few minutes of healing."

While there are references to the Bible, gospel songs are "songs of comfort and celebration not proselytizing and preaching." That's why he said he found it interesting that the student gospel group had difficulty about performing at the Amherst Regional High School graduation.

As for the concert, Boyer said he especially pleased that 22 of the students he conducted decades ago will come from across the country to perform in the New Africa House Reunion Choir.

"They think enough of that experience, deem it so positive, that they would like to relive it and bring into the fore again," he said. It should be no surprise that they are coming back, since he keeps in touch with former students. "They write about marriages, babies. And when they come to town they visit."

The Year of Jubilee III, a quartet Boyer founded in 1975, will also perform at the concert as will the Wesley United Methodist Church Choir and the Goodwin Memorial AME Zion Church Choir. His favorite piece, "Precious Lord," will be performed.

Boyer said he won't sing at the concert but will briefly speak and play the piano. Tickets are available at the Food for Thought Book Store or A.J. Hastings. Donations, made payable to the Horace Clarence Boyer Gospel Music Fund, can be sent to: Department of Music and Dance, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003.

Boyer's resume is filled with gospel achievements. He has written two books: "How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel" and "How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World Famous Ward Singers."

He edited two hymnals for the Episcopal Church, "Lift Every Voice and Sing An African American Hymnal," and contributed hymns to other hymnals.

As a composer, he has written gospel music including "It's My Desire" and a Mass. He was at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington for two years as a scholar on gospel music and involved with six documentaries.

"Through gospel, I think that I have been able to make a contribution to the world."