Musical Masters from Sumner High School
Between the years 1931 and 1939, Sumner High School had many students that would go on to make a name for themselves in a musical career. Despite the challenges brought on by the Great Depression, Sumner still provided many opportunities for students to pursue the musical arts including opera, acapella, and choir. Sumner High School provided not only the necessary support for students to pursue their passions, but also offered diverse experiences that allowed for a well-rounded education.
Robert McFerrin
Robert McFerrin was born on March 19th, 1921 in Mariana, Arkansas. He grew up singing gospel as a part of his church choir with his father and siblings. He would later be sent to St. Louis to live with relatives for better educational opprotunities. Robert McFerrin attended Sumner High School from around 1936 to 1940. During his time at Sumner High School, he participated in the Sumner School Acapella Choir and also recieved private instruction from his choir director. After graduating from Sumner, McFerrin pursued a degree from Frisk University, but returned to St. Louis in 1941 to pursue a music degree at Chicago Musical College. He achieved his degree in 1946 after pausing his studies to fight in World War II. He then moved to New York, where he met Sara Cooper. The two married in 1949 and had two kids. McFerrin would continue to break through racial barriers with his performances, making his New York Met debut in 1955. He would go on to sing for the role of Porgy in the film Porgy and Bess in 1958, before moving to Los Angeles, California where he opened a voice studio with his wife. Towards the end of his life he would teach at a variety of colleges and universities including the St. Louis Institute of Music Conservatory and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. He would be awarded two honorary doctorates from Stowe's Teaching College in 1987 and the University of Missouri in 1989. In 2003, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award by Opera America and Opera International. He lived in St. Louis until his death from a heart attack on November 24th, 2006.
Robert McFerrin Sumner Acapella Concert Performance 1938
In 1938, Robert McFerrin would perform as a part of the Spring Concert with the Sumner High School Acapella Choir. He sang "Sea Poem" and "There is a Lady". He performed "Old Man River" as an encore. Here is a newspaper article describing the event.
Marriage of Robert McFerrin and Sara Cooper
In 1949. Robert McFerrin married Sara Cooper, a Washington D.C. singer he met in New York. Sara Cooper played an important role in his success as an opera singer, as she assisited him in studying new opera roles. Sara and Robert had two children, Bobby McFerrin Jr. and Brenda McFerrin. This is a newspaper article describing their wedding.
Robert McFerrin, February 28, 1955
In 1953, Robert McFerrin became the first African American to win the "Auditions of the Air" competition. He would later go on to sign a three-year contract with the New York Metropolitan Opera, being the first African American to do so. Here is a photograph taken of Robert McFerrin in 1955.
From Sumner High to Debut at 'Met'
Robert McFerrin would be the first African American to sign a three year contract with the New York Met. He made his debut with New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955 with his performance of Amonasro in "Aida". This is a newspaper excerpt that depicts Robert in costume as Amonasro.
Robert McFerrin - "Pari siamo" from Verdi's "Rigoletto"
McFerrin would go on to become the first African American to perform a title role at the New York Met with his performance of Rigoletto in 1956. Here is a YouTube excerpt from his performance of "Piari Siamo" in Verdi's Rigoletto.
Ernest "Ernie" Lawrerence Wilkins
Ernest Brooks Wilkins was born on July, 20th, 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the older brother of James Lawrence Wilkins. He attended Sumner High School from 1934-1938. Wilkins would go on to study music at Wilburforce University. During his college career he was recruited to join the Navy, in which he continued his musical training at Hampton Institute. In 1951, he joined Count Basie's Orchestra as a jazz arranger, which he would do for five years. Afterwards he would work as a free-lance Jazz arranger and songwriter until his popularity declined in the 1960s. He would find his revival after joining Terry Clark's Big B-A-D Band as the primary composer and music director. In the 1970s he would work as Mainstream Label's head of artists and repertory division. In 1980, he would move to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he would continue to perform, arrange, and write music as a part of his Almost Big Band. In 1981, he recieved the Ben Webster Prize, a Danish and American Jazz award set up by the Ben Webster Foundation. He would be forced to retire from music in 1991 after suffering a stroke and would pass away on June 5th, 1999.
Album Cover of "Ernie Wilkins and the Almost Big Band" by Ernie Wilkins and the Almost Big Band (1981)
Sumner High School served as a time of musical exploration and growth for Ernie, as he delved into violin and the school band, known as the Sumner High School Swingsters. However, his love of music would only expand upon learning the saxophone during his time at Sumner. Ernest graduated from Sumner High School to pursue his musical career in 1938.
Ernie Wilkins Named Bandmaster of the Naval Band
Ernest went on to study music at Wilberforce University after being recruited to join the college's band. During his college career, he and his brother would go on to be recruited by the U.S. Navy, where they would continue their musical careers in the military band. In the miliary he would recieve education on advanced sheet music reading techniques at Hampton Institute in Virginia.
Album Cover of "Live on 57th Street" Clark Terry's Big Bad Band (1976)
In 1951, he started to work as a composer and arranger for Count Basie. He would later work as a free-lance jazz arranger and songwriter until his popularity declined in the 60s. He then joined Terry Clark's Big B-A-D Band as there primary composer and music director. This would lead to his revival that would send him to tour through Europe. Here is an image of Clark Terry's Big Bad Band cover for the album 57 Street.
Album Cover of "Montreux" by the Ernie Wilkins Almost Big Band (1996)
In the 1970s he worked with Mainstream Records as head of artists and their repertory division. In 1980, he moved to Copenhagen, Denmark and formed the Almost Big Band, which he performed and wrote music for. He was forced to retire in 1991 due to suffering a stroke. He passed away on June 5th, 1999. This is an album cover from the Almost Big Band's album Montreux.
James "Jimmy" Lawrence Wilkins
James Lawrence Wilkins, better known as Jimmy Wilkins, although not as well known or influential as his brother Ernie Wilkins, still found success as a trombonist after graduating from Sumner High School in 1937. He played along with his brother as a part of Sumner's band "the Sumner Swingsters." He would, along with his brother, join the Navy during World War II and play for the Naval Band. He would go with his brother to Hampton Institute with the Navy to recieve training. Later on in 1951 he would join Count Basie's band as a trombonist, an opportunity made available to him due to his connections with Clark Terry. He would leave Count Basie's Band in 1953. He would eventually move from Detroit to Las Vegas in 1994 and start his own band there.
Count Basie And His Orchestra - Every Tub (featuring Wardell Gray)
Perhaps the highest point in his career as a trombonist, Jimmy Wilkins would play in Count Basie's band from 1953 to 1955 with his brother Ernie Wilkins. Here is a YouTube video of his first time recording with Count Basie in May 1951. The band is playing Basie's Every Tub.
Kenneth Brown Billups Sr.
Kenneth Brown Billups Sr. was an incredibly influential and important figure in St. Louis public schools both during and after the 1930s. Kenneth Brown Billups Sr. was born in the St. Louis neighborhood known as "The Ville" on April 14,1918. After graduating from Sumner High School he went to study at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. In 1940, he graduated from Lincoln with a degree in biology. At this time he also founded the Legend Singers. He went to Northwestern University to pursue a masters degree in music, graduating in 1947. He is the founder of the St. Louis Public Schools honor music program. In 1959, he was elected president of the National Association of Negro Musicians, serving from 1960 to 1965. Billups continued to direct the Legends Singers up until his death during a rehearsal on October 10th, 1985.
Sumner High School Choir, c.1930-1939
Kenneth Billups, Sr. was increadibly active in the public school system and achieved quite a lot during his time as an eduator. He established the the St. Louis Public school systems honor music program and even became the systems music supervisor. As a choir director at Sumner, he taught many famous people, including Robert McFerrin.
Dr. Kenneth Billups
Kenneth Billups, Sr. earned numerous awards for his achievements as a musician and as an educator of music. In 1969, he was awarded the NANM's W. C. Handy Award. In 1976 he recieved a Gold Record Award and in '77 he was awarded the Missouri Music Educators' Honors Award. In 1979, he was awraded the Urban League Award of Merit.