Celebrating and reviving traditional spirituals and hymns on 'Soul Sanctuary'

Maria Thomspson Corley and Maria Clark by Rashun Hayes
Maria Thompson Corely (left) and Maria Clark (right) collaborated on the album, "Soul Sanctuary." (Rashun Hayes)

Empowering spirituals and graceful hymns fill the newly released album “Soul Sanctuary,” a collection sung by soprano and Spelman College educator Maria Clark, with the arranger and pianist Maria Thompson Corley. They both joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to talk about their new collaboration celebrating and reviving the spiritual music traditions of America. 

Interview highlights:

What spirituals can mean to the singer: