Hubert Walters

For Hubert Walters, music isn't just a hobby. It's a passion, a way of life - a philosophy. As the 25-year director of the Voices of Imani, Walters - more affectionately known by his students simply as "Professor" - has shown hundreds just how powerful music can be.

Walters's love for music began after hearing Roland Hayes, the first widely acclaimed black tenor, as a child. It was at a time when segregation was still the law, and Hayes had to stay with a local dentist in town since he could not stay at the hotel. But overcoming all this in addition to the humble setting - a school gymnasium - Hayes's a capella rendition of "Were You There?" left Walters forever inspired. And he has held close to a similarly musical path ever since.

In addition to directing Voices, Walters also teaches the courses Rhythm and Blues in America and Jazz in America, venues which allow him not only to share this music but also to teach its historical importance. "Knowledge about African-American music is so crucial, yet it has only been since Dr. King that it has been studied," he says.

Voices allows students to develop an understanding and appreciation for the spiritual basis of gospel and spirituals, music that has integrally influenced much of what we hear today on the radio. The group's repertoire derives mainly from time-honored gospel music, mixing traditional lyrics with contemporary arrangements.

The choir was founded in 1979 by a group of students who, Walters says, "were searching for unity among themselves in a strange environment. They turned to the one vehicle used by the African-American experience throughout - the music of the church."

Walters became the group's adviser in 1982, and has seen it grow from a small group of mostly black students to the 50-plus, racially diverse musical powerhouse that it is today. "Singers come from everywhere," he says. "Music is something that invites to you to participate. We can create a welcoming environment with the magic of music we call jazz - it allows you to put yourself into it."

Also a minister, Walters places special importance on the spiritual aspect of the music. "'Imani' means faith," he says. "In a community of faith, as we have here at Boston College, we are trying to explore this faith through music."

Before coming to BC, Walters also helped to found the African American studies program and the Kuumba singers at Harvard University. But, he says, the Catholic nature of BC ultimately lent itself better to the study and singing of spiritual music.

Walters sees his students not only as singers but also as young adults to mentor and nurture. "The voice is a peculiar instrument - it has feeling, background, experience." To tap into that, Walters makes it a point to be there for each student and to get to know him or her personally.

"I call him my stand-in father," says Stephanie Sanabria, Voices president for next year and LSOE '09. "He is so eager to share music from his tradition that was such an important part of saving his culture."

"I can see my kids in these kids," Walters says. "I can understand where they are in life." Indeed, Walters's own granddaughter will attend BC next year. Will she sing in the choir? His eyes light up, acknowledging the possibility.

But Walters will not be there to direct the choir next year; he's retiring, moving on to focus on ministry among other things - his "other callings," as he says. "We should each strive to make our own humble contribution to the human experience," he says, "and hopefully I've been able to share the unique experience of my people. Hopefully we've done that through music."