About Theological Improvisations
Wake Forest University School of Divinity recognizes the arts as foundational to graduate theological education and to the theological and religious imagination. In continuing to live into our mission of preparing students to be agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion in ministry and the world, the arts play a crucial role in defining the distinctive space that is Wake Divinity.
Theological Improvisations is a multi-day symposium that will critically explore the musicological and theological dimensions of the art, aesthetics, styles, and techniques of improvisation in musical expression. The symposium will also examine the relationship between improvisation and religious expression in animating new and dramatic forms of imagination and community.
A series of curated conversations, Theological Improvisations will feature internationally acclaimed and award-winning musician Cory Henry and Grammy award-winning musician and producer Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit along with leading scholars.
Event Agenda
Thursday
April 11, 2024
4:00 p.m. | Symposium Opening Conversation: Creativity
Farrell Hall, Broyhill Auditorium
Featuring: Joshuah Brian Campbell, Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit, Claudrena N. Harold, and Corey D. B. Walker
View the Recording
5:15 p.m. | Reception
Farrell Hall, Bern Beatty Colloquium
Friday
April 12, 2024
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.| Morning Conversation: Sacred
Scales Fine Arts Center, Brendle Recital Hall
Panelists: Mark Burford, Alisha Lola Jones, Cory Henry, Braxton Shelley
View the Recording
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | Afternoon Conversation: Freedom
Scales Fine Arts Center, Brendle Recital Hall
Panelists: Melvin L. Butler, Tammy L. Kernodle, Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr.
View the Recording
5:00 – 6:15 p.m. | Performance with Cory Henry
Scales Fine Arts Center, Brendle Recital Hall
6:30 p.m. | Symposium Closing Reception
Scales Fine Arts Center, Upper Lobby
Event Participants
Cory Henry
Internationally renowned artist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and keyboard master
Melvin L. Butler
Assoc. Professor, Frost School of Music
Associate Dean, Office of Academic Enhancement
University of Miami
Joshuah Brian Campbell
Director of Worship, Music, and the Arts, Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Director of University Gospel Choir
Wake Forest University
Patrick “9th Wonder” Douthit
Professor of the Practice in Residence, Program in African American Studies
Wake Forest University
Claudrena N. Harold
Edward Stettinius Professor of History
University of Virginia
Alisha Lola Jones
University Lecturer in Music in Contemporary Societies
University of Cambridge
Tammy L. Kernodle
Distinguished Professor in the Department of Music
Miami University
Guthrie P. Ramsey, Jr.
Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Music
University of Pennsylvania
Braxton Shelley
Associate Professor of Music, of Sacred Music, and of Divinity
Yale University
Corey D. B. Walker
Dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities
Wake Forest University