Interview with Whit Whitaker, January 8, 2016

Interview Summary

In this interview, Michael Breeding and Whit Whitaker discuss Whitaker's formative years as a musician, especially those that took place during his time as a UK student. Whitaker talks about the challenges he faced, not only as an out of state student with no circle of support in Lexington, but also as a black student. Whitaker felt as though Holroyd's choir was his primary safe space on campus during that time. Sara Holroyd served as a very important influence on Whitaker and his music career. He discusses the ways in which she inspired him to perform and taught him that he was worthy of performing just like anyone else. As a result, both Holroyd and Jenness were featured in Whitaker's master's thesis.

Interview Keyword

Vocalists Phyllis Jenness School of Music Performances Professors Teachers Instructors Sara Holroyd Singing Choirs Inspirations Racial tensions Non-traditional students Minorities Black Student Union Education

Interview LC Subject

Choral conductors Music--Competitions Professor (Musician) Sex discrimination in education--Kentucky--Lexington Music--Instruction and study African American students Race relations Conductors (Music) University of Kentucky University of Kentucky. Department of Music

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.