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By Dave Umhoefer
Spirituals and a slice of musical history at a May 14 concert rediscovering the late MKE musical icon J. Howard Offutt, who headed an integrated Young People’s Chorus that thrilled Wisconsin audiences for decades.
The Wisconsin Black History Society/Museum is teaming up with the South Milwaukee High School choirs on this musical and educational performance at 7 p.m. at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave.
South Milwaukee students are preparing several Offutt-arranged spirituals for the concert. They have sifted through boxes of Offutt’s original notes, correspondence and arrangements, held by the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum, and interviewed a former choir student of Offutt’s. Their research will be on display at the performance.
Offutt, a military veteran and longtime leader at St. Mark’s AME Church in Milwaukee, led multiple choruses in the community ending in the 1960s. He died in 1986.
For more information, contact Dave Umhoefer, dave.umhoefer@gmail.com.
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