Hayes, Roland, 1887-1977

Roland Hayes (1887-1977) was the first black classical singer to break the color barrier. Born in Curryville (Gordon County, Ga.), he started singing in the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Flatwoods (Ga.) which was founded by his mother. Hayes moved to Boston, Massachusetts to start his musical career, later farmed in Flatwoods, but returned to Boston where he died in 1977.

Roland Hayes (3 June 1887-31 December 1976) was a singer and one of the first African Americans to gain prominence as a classically-trained concert performer.

Roland Wiltse Hayes was born on June 3, 1887 in Curryville Georgia. After the death of his father, when he was eleven, the family moved Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hayes loved to sing African-American spirituals in church and on the street for money. When he was 15 years old he was introduced the to African-pianist Arthur Calhoun. Calhoun exposed the Hayes to the music of Enrico Caruso, Nellie Melba and others. He later studied music at Fisk University. While at Fisk, Hayes became a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Hayes later went on a tour with the Fisk Singers to Boston. After the tour, Hayes stayed in Boston to pursue he dream of becoming a classical concert singer. He later studied under of the great basso, Arthur J. Hubbard and absorbed the traditions of bel canto. He also took courses at Harvard University's extension school. In 1916, Hayes began to arrange and promote his own concerts around the country. He would continue this for the next four years. In 1920, Roland went to London. There, for the next five years, he studied German lieder under Sir George Henschel, noted composer, conductor and interpreter of the songs of Brahms and Schumann. After a year there, he gave a royal command performance for King George V and Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace. He continued to study under Dr. Theodore Lierhammer in Vienna, and Gabriel Faure, the French composer in Paris. Hayes was awarded the prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal in 1924. Hayes later married Helen A. Mann and had a daughter named Afrika. He and his family had two prime residences in Brookline, Massachusetts, and a 600-arce farm in Curryville, Georgia. Roland's mother Helen had been a slave on the farm and it was also his birthplace. In 1942, Hayes and his family were involved in a racial incident that occurred in Rome, Georgia. His wife and daughter had been sitting in a whites-only section of a shoe store. They were thrown out of the store. Hayes confronted the store clerk, and he and his wife were arrested by the police. The incident made national news. After the incident, Hayes and his family eventually left Georgia and sold the farm. He later purchased a 56-acre farm and country home in West Newbury, Massachusetts. Roland Hayes successfully toured the United States and the World extensively for the rest of his life. He was critically acclaimed for his master of the vocal art and especially in lieder. In 1962, Hayes gave his farewell concert at Carnegie Hall. He later taught, mentored and financially supported young musicians to pursue their own dreams of becoming classical singers. Throughout his career, he had received many awards and accolades. This included numerous Honorary Degrees in Music and the Humanities. Roland Hayes died on January 1, 1977.

Epithet: tenor