Video
Historical Narrative
Betty Jackson King’s Behold That Star (copyright 1978) stands as one of her most evocative Christmas spiritual arrangements, dedicated to Wilbert Johnson and the Chicago Music Association Chorale. The dedication, found on the cover page, honors Johnson’s leadership and the ensemble’s artistic excellence within the Chicago branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. (NANM, Inc.), known locally as Chicago Music Association, Branch No. 1, established in 1919. The branch has long been recognized as the founding chapter of NANM and a vital center for musical collaboration among Black musicians in Chicago. Johnson, an esteemed choral conductor and educator, directed the Chicago Music Association Chorale with distinction, fostering a tradition of precision, spiritual depth, and community engagement—qualities that perfectly aligned with King’s own artistic and educational ideals.
Betty Jackson King’s professional and creative path often intersected with Wilbert Johnson and the members of the Chicago Music Association Chorale. Both shared deep roots within NANM, Inc., participating in conventions, concerts, and educational events that promoted African American composers and performers. King’s leadership as National President of NANM (1970–1984) overlapped with Johnson’s active role in the Chicago branch, and it was within this shared organizational mission that their musical partnership flourished. The connection was also personal: in the 1962 Tenth Annual Choir Concert program of the Congregational Church of Park Manor, where King served as Minister of Music, Wilbert Johnson was listed as a choir member—demonstrating their collaboration in both community worship and professional performance settings.
Through this dedication, King paid tribute not only to Johnson’s artistry but also to the collective strength of the Chicago Music Association Chorale, whose mission mirrored her own: to preserve, elevate, and celebrate the sacred music traditions born from the African American experience. Behold That Star thus reflects a moment in Chicago’s vibrant musical history when church choirs, community ensembles, and professional musicians worked hand in hand to proclaim faith through artistic excellence.
Musical Description
Set for S.A.T.B. choir with solo, Behold That Star is written in the key of E major and marked Misterioso (♩ = 66), immediately creating a sense of awe and reverence. The piece opens quietly, with the soloist intoning “Behold that star” over sustained choral harmonies marked pianissimo. This opening captures the listener’s attention through atmosphere rather than volume, inviting reflection on the mystery of the star of Bethlehem. King’s choice of the A major tonality—bright yet serene—gives the work a luminous quality, symbolizing divine revelation. The choral writing features rich, suspensive harmonies and smooth voice-leading that enhance the meditative quality of the text, while the solo passages add emotional immediacy and expressive freedom.
At measure 10, the texture broadens as the full choir enters with a joyful proclamation: “There’s a star in the East on Christmas morn.” The dynamic contrast (forte verse following pianissimo introduction) heightens the drama and brings the narrative to life. King’s careful alternation between solo and ensemble sections allows performers to explore a range of expression—from quiet wonder to jubilant celebration. The harmonic progressions are sophisticated yet singable, employing chromatic passing tones and pedal tones that enrich the sound without overwhelming the melody.
For conductors, this arrangement offers an opportunity to balance expressive storytelling with technical refinement. The opening requires control and blended tone, while the climactic sections demand rhythmic precision and dynamic projection. The interplay between soloist and choir provides flexibility for interpretation—whether performed in a concert setting or within a sacred service. In keeping with King’s hallmark style, Behold That Star unites theological meaning with musical mastery, offering choirs a timeless and spiritually profound work that celebrates both the birth of Christ and the enduring artistry of African American choral music.