Duke School Under the Oak Magazine, Fall 2020

“I really enjoyed working with
the musicians at NCCU because I
learned more about Black music
history, and I learned jazz singing
techniques. I loved getting a
chance to sing with and learn
from that talented and supportive
group!”
~Brooke Murgitroyd ‘21
Lillian Bamberger, Hazel Bouille, Genevieve
Harris, Mahaugony Howard, Brooke Murgitroyd,
Shariah Warren, and Caroline Welty rehearsed
with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble in February. Shariah
recalled a bit of advice that Dr. Hammonds gave
to her during the rehearsal, “To sound better you
have to open your mouth!”
After one of the rehearsals, NCCU students
invited us to sit in on a rehearsal with Dr. Ira
Wiggins, the head of the Jazz Studies program at
NCCU. We danced and sang along as the group
performed Motown hits!
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered…”
On February 27, 2020, singers from NCCU and
Duke School arrived in our Middle School Gym
dressed in concert black and Duke School/
NCCU maroon to sing and play music together.
It truly was a joyous celebration for everyone in
attendance and a gratifying culmination for us all!
“The opportunity that we had
with NCCU to perform in a
concert was incredible. Between
our practices, our performances,
and just simply warming up or
talking, we all learned so much
and really progressed as singers
and performers. I feel so lucky and
am so grateful to have had this
opportunity. Thanks to everyone
involved!”
~Caroline Welty ‘21
“I think my favorite part about
singing with NCCU was the
experience of being able to sing
with professionals and listen to
the differences of their voices and
what I could do to improve mine. I
also loved learning about different
music from different cultures, and
how singing becomes a career.
It gave me a chance to envision
what my life could be.”
~Genevieve Harris ‘22
UNDER THE OAK 17