[Marian L. Harrison]
On Oct. 3 AfriClassical posted: “John Malveaux: Southeast Symphony Opens '64th season on a high and promising note with guest conductor.'” Here is a quote from the review by John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com:
“The second half started with Out of Kilter: Scenes from Black America preceded by an explanatory talk from composer Dr. Marian L. Harrison (b. 1974). She characterized the piece “modern art music”. “Out of Kilter explores the subject of racial disparity in the African-American race, as it ‘scores’ five paintings by Atlanta-area artist, Chase Campbell". (from program notes)
This was the first event to bring the composer and Professor Marian L. Harrison to our attention, so we decided to take a look at her Faculty Biography at the website of Spelman College. Here is an excerpt:
Faculty Biography
Spelman College Department of Music
Marian L. Harrison is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a composer, arranger, music copyist, teacher, playwright, and photographer. In August of 2007, she became the first African American to receive the Doctorate of Music degree in Music Composition from Indiana University's prestigious Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. While attending Indiana University, she studied composition with David Baker, Sven-Davis Sandstrom, David Dzubay, and P.Q. Phan.
Harrison’s other previous institutions of study include the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, where she received the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education (1997), and Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received the Masters of Music degree in Music Composition (2001). In addition, Harrison studied music composition at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, Sweden and received the Certificate of Visiting Student during the 2004-2005 academic year.
Various ensembles including Indiana University’s Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, the Spelman College Glee Club, and the Thamyris New Music Ensemble have performed Harrison’s works. In February 2007, Marian commissioned Atlanta-based artist, Wilhelmina Fowlkes, to create Lift Every Voice, an acrylic painting based on the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, which was interpreted by members of the Indiana University African American Dance Company and performed her arrangement of the anthem. From 2005 to 2007, she produced the Extensions of the Tradition Concert Series. This annual event, held on the campus of Indiana University, features the music of African American classical composers.
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