Contemporary Classics March 31, 2026 Nkeiru Okoye - When the Caged Bird Sings

Contemporary Classics
Dave L.
8:00pm, 3-31-2026

    Tonight on Contemporary Classics I am talking with Nkeiru Okoye about her new work and album When the Caged Bird Sings.   When the Caged Bird Sings is a musical celebration and a musical and dramatic experience  part opera, part oratorio, and part gospel concert that celebrates the strength black women through the story of a young black girl who survives the numerous struggles of life to not only survive but prosper.  When the Caged Bird Sings was released this past Friday March 27th on Naxos American Classics. 




    • 8:00pm Contemporary Classics Introduction by Kirsten Volness: Nocturne on Pre-recorded (Pre-recorded)
    • 8:00pm Contemporary Classics March 31, 2026 Nkeiru Okoye Part 1 by Nkeiru Okoye on Contemporary Classics
    • 8:02pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:06pm Nkeiru Okoye: Who am I supposed to be? by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:11pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:11pm Nkeiru Okoye: Devotions by EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:12pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:13pm Nkeiru Okoye: Shine your light upon us by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano;University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:21pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:22pm Nkeiru Okoye: The Beatitudes by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano;University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor; Angela Brown, Soprano on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:29pm Contemporary Classics by Mid Hour break on pre-recorded (pre-recorded)
    • 8:32pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:34pm Nkeiru Okoye: Cerise’s Story, Part 1 – You gave me a baby girl by Angela Brown, Soprano; Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:40pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:42pm Nkeiru Okoye: He Saw Her Beauty by Issachah Savage, Tenor; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:44pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:46pm Nkeiru Okoye: I am Thine, O Lord by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor; Angela Brown, Soprano on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 8:49pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 8:52pm Nkeiru Okoye: Sometimes life gets ugly by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Christie Dashiell, Mezzo-soprano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:00pm Nkeiru Okoye: Sometimes life gets ugly by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; Christie Dashiell, Mezzo-soprano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:00pm Contemporary Classics March 31, 2026 Nkeiru Okoye Part 2 by Nkeiru Okoye on Contemporary Classics
    • 9:01pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:05pm Nkeiru Okoye: Cerise’s Story, Part 2 – I thought this life would protect us by Jubilant Sykes, Baritone; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:14pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:15pm Nkeiru Okoye: Pass me not, O Gentle Savior by EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:17pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:18pm Nkeiru Okoye: Cerise’s Story, Part 3 – It takes a village by Issachah Savage, Tenor; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers, University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:26pm Contemporary Classics by Mid Hour break on pre-recorded (pre-recorded)
    • 9:28pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:31pm Nkeiru Okoye: Interlude — She shall not be moved by EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:35pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:37pm Nkeiru Okoye: Butterflies — Be Transformed by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:40pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:40pm Nkeiru Okoye: Be Transformed by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:41pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:42pm Nkeiru Okoye: I’m so glad I found me by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:44pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:47pm Nkeiru Okoye: Cerise’s Story, Part 4 – You sheltered me by Rita Coburn; Christie Dashiell, Mezzo-soprano ; University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:51pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
    • 9:54pm Nkeiru Okoye: When a Caged Bird Sings – Night turns to day by Rita Coburn; EXIGENCE, A Sphinx Vocal Ensemble & Eugene Rogers; University of Michigan Choirs; Cyrus Chestnut, Piano; University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Kiesler, conductor on When the Caged Bird Sings (Naxos)
    • 9:59pm Conversation with Nkeiru Okoye by Nkeiru Okoye and Dave Lake on live (live)
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