Leslie Adams (composer)
Encyclopedia
H. Leslie Adams is an American composer
and music educator. He has won awards for his compositions from the National Association of Negro Women (1963) and the Christian Arts Annual National Competition for Choral Music (1979). He has also been commissioned to write works for the Center for Black Music Research, the Cleveland Orchestra
, and the Ohio Chamber Orchestra. His opera
, Blake (composed 1986), was the focus of a significant portion of Y.C. Williams's New Perspectives on Music (ed. J. Wright with S.A. Floyd Jr, published Warren, MI, 1992, pages 172–209).
, Adams earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Oberlin College
in 1955, a Masters of Music from California State University, Long Beach
in 1967, and a PhD in Music Composition from Ohio State University
in 1973. He also pursued private studies with Leon Dallin
, Marcel Dick, Herbert Elwell
, Vittorio Giannini
, Edward Mattila, and Robert Starer
. He also received fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation
(1979) and Yaddo
(1980, 1984).
As a teacher, Adams has served on the music faculties of F.A.M.U. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (1968–1969) and the University of Kansas
(1969–1978).
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and music educator. He has won awards for his compositions from the National Association of Negro Women (1963) and the Christian Arts Annual National Competition for Choral Music (1979). He has also been commissioned to write works for the Center for Black Music Research, the Cleveland Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
The Cleveland Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the five American orchestras informally referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1918, the orchestra plays most of its concerts at Severance Hall...
, and the Ohio Chamber Orchestra. His opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
, Blake (composed 1986), was the focus of a significant portion of Y.C. Williams's New Perspectives on Music (ed. J. Wright with S.A. Floyd Jr, published Warren, MI, 1992, pages 172–209).
Biography
Born Harrison Leslie Adams in Cleveland, OhioOhio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Adams earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in 1955, a Masters of Music from California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
in 1967, and a PhD in Music Composition from Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1973. He also pursued private studies with Leon Dallin
Leon Dallin
Leon Dallin was an American music theorist whose primary work was Techniques of Twentieth Century Composition: A Guide to the Materials of Modern Music....
, Marcel Dick, Herbert Elwell
Herbert Elwell
Herbert Elwell was an American composer and music critic. A native of Minneapolis, he was among the first Americans to study in France with Nadia Boulanger. While in Paris his Quintet for Piano and Strings garnered more praise than George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, which was premiered at the...
, Vittorio Giannini
Vittorio Giannini
Vittorio Giannini was a neoromantic American composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works.-Life and work:...
, Edward Mattila, and Robert Starer
Robert Starer
Robert Starer was an Austrian-born American composer and pianist.Robert Starer began studying the piano at age 4 and continued his studies at the Vienna State Academy...
. He also received fellowships from the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
(1979) and Yaddo
Yaddo
Yaddo is an artists' community located on a 400 acre estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment."...
(1980, 1984).
As a teacher, Adams has served on the music faculties of F.A.M.U. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (1968–1969) and the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
(1969–1978).