The Negro Spiritual Inc.

Dr. Oral Moses Oral Moses, bass-baritone performs regularly throughout the United States and Europe singing Opera, Oratorio and recitals with special emphasis on a wide variety of Art Song repertoire by African-American composers.

He has had numerous successes in Oratorio and Opera performing major roles in Le Nozze de Figaro, Regina, La Boheme, Albert Herring, Tremonisha, Rigoletto, and Die Zauberflöte among many others. Symphonic engagements have included works with the Nashville Symphony, the Jackson Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Tacoma Symphony and the Atlanta symphony. In 1983 he toured Eastern Europe, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Berlin singing the role of Porgy in Porgy and Bess.

In the last few years he has recorded three CDs of Art Songs and Spirituals by African-American composers. His last CD released in 2003 is a collection of spirituals sung a capella entitled, "Spirituals in Zion," recorded in the historic Zion Baptist Church built by enslaved African Americans in 1861. As a solo recording artist for Albany Records his premiere CD, “Deep River: Songs and Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh.” is featured in the PBS film documentary, “Antonin Dvorak in America.” His second CD, “Amen! African-American composers of the Twentieth Century”, is a best seller on the Albany Record label. He has collaborated with gospel artist, Babbie Mason on the CD/Video project, “Treasured Memories: A Celebration Of Our Gospel Music Heritage,” documenting the rich legacy of Gospel Music. A second CD collaboration entitled, “Third Day Offerings: A Worship Album,” allowed him to record with Third Day, the contemporary Christian rock group which earned him his first gold record.

Born in South Carolina he began his singing career as a member of the United States Seventh Army soldiers Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany and as a member of the famed Fisk Jubilee singers while attending Fisk University following his military career. As a T. J. Watson Fellow he studied in Germany and Austria and upon his return to the United States he earned a Masters of Music and a Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree in Vocal Performance and Opera from the University of Michigan. In 1986 as a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant he co-authored a book entitled, “Feel The Spirit-Studies in Nineteenth Century Afro-American Music” published by Greenwood Press. He is also a contributing author in the third edition of, "Notable Black American Women."

He is a frequent guest lecturer and clinician for Gospel and Spiritual music workshops and conferences throughout the United States and Europe and is Professor of Voice and Music Literature at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.