Eloy Fominaya
Encyclopedia
Eloy Fominaya, PhD was an American
contemporary composer, music educator at the collegiate level, conductor, violinist, and, as of 1985, violin repairman.
His obituary in The Augusta Chronicle stated that had been a child prodigy in music. Forminoya played the violin for Eleanor Roosevelt
at the White House
before the age of ten and, by the age of 15, performed Felix Mendelssohn's
Violin Concerto in D
with the National Symphony Orchestra
in Washington, D.C.
Beginning 1966, Fominaya served as chair of the Fine Arts Department at Augusta State University
for 16 years. In total, Fominaya served 33 years at Augusta State University
, teaching violin, composition, contemporary harmony/humanities and counterpoint. He retired as a Professor of Music at age 70.
Fominaya was an associate conductor of the Augusta Symphony
and played violin in the orchestra. He was musical director and conductor of the Augusta Chorale Society for 12 years. He was director of the Augusta Youth Orchestra from 1966 to 1994.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
contemporary composer, music educator at the collegiate level, conductor, violinist, and, as of 1985, violin repairman.
His obituary in The Augusta Chronicle stated that had been a child prodigy in music. Forminoya played the violin for Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
before the age of ten and, by the age of 15, performed Felix Mendelssohn's
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
Violin Concerto in D
Concerto for Violin and Strings (Mendelssohn)
The Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra in D minor was composed by Felix Mendelssohn at the age of thirteen. It has three movements.#Allegro#Andante#AllegroThe work has a duration of around 22 minutes.- Felix Mendelssohn, the prodigy :...
with the National Symphony Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra
The National Symphony Orchestra , founded in 1931, is an American symphony orchestra that performs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.-History:...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Beginning 1966, Fominaya served as chair of the Fine Arts Department at Augusta State University
Augusta State University
Augusta State University is a public university located in Augusta, Georgia, United States and is the oldest institution in the state of Georgia ....
for 16 years. In total, Fominaya served 33 years at Augusta State University
Augusta State University
Augusta State University is a public university located in Augusta, Georgia, United States and is the oldest institution in the state of Georgia ....
, teaching violin, composition, contemporary harmony/humanities and counterpoint. He retired as a Professor of Music at age 70.
Fominaya was an associate conductor of the Augusta Symphony
Augusta Symphony Orchestra (Augusta, Georgia)
The Symphony Orchestra Augusta was founded in 1954, the orchestra has grown from a small group of 15 musicians to a full symphony orchestra offering four concert series each season as well as a strong education and outreach program bringing music into the schools and local community...
and played violin in the orchestra. He was musical director and conductor of the Augusta Chorale Society for 12 years. He was director of the Augusta Youth Orchestra from 1966 to 1994.
Academic positions
- Associate Professor of Music, University of Louisiana at MonroeUniversity of Louisiana at MonroeThe University of Louisiana at Monroe is a coeducational public university in Monroe, Louisiana and part of the University of Louisiana System.-History:...
- 1966–1997 — Various teaching positions, including Chairman, Music Department, Augusta CollegeAugusta CollegeFrom 1822 to 1849, Augusta College was located in Augusta, Kentucky in Bracken County. It was formed when the Bracken Academy and Methodist churches of Ohio and Kentucky joined. Augusta College was the third Methodist college founded in the United States. Its first president was Martin Ruter,...
, Georgia
Education
- 1950 — Bachelor of Music (violin & music education) Lawrence UniversityLawrence UniversityLawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
, Wisconsin - Feb 1953 — Master of Music (major – composition; minor – violin), University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas College of MusicThe University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
(studied composition with Violet ArcherViolet ArcherViolet Archer, CM was a Canadian composer, teacher, pianist, organist, and percussionist. Born Violet Balestreri in Montreal, Quebec, her family changed their name to Archer. She died in Ottawa....
) - 1963 — Doctor of Philosophy in Music, Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
- Studied at Juilliard for 3 years
- Studied with master violin maker, Albert Ferdinand Moglie (1890–1988)
- 1951 — Studied at Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...