Orrin Wilson: 'The Contributions of Twentieth Century African American Composers to the Solo Trumpet Repertoire'

[Regina Harris Baiocchi]

Digital Commons @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln

The Contributions of Twentieth Century African American Composers to the Solo Trumpet Repertoire: A Discussion and Analysis of Selected works by: Ulysses S. Kay, Adolphus C. Hailstork, Regina Harris Baiocchi, and Charles Lloyd, Jr

Orrin Wilson, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

While there has been a constant growth in the academic study of African American composers who have written concert and recital music, their contributions to the solo trumpet repertoire has received far less attention. Many African American composers' works stretch far beyond the realm of spirituals, Negro folk songs, choral works, jazz, and popular music. 

The composers in this document are noteworthy because they represent just a few of the various African American musicians who have composed works for the solo trumpet. Each composer's work represents cultural and historical trends intended to counter negative perceptions of Black culture. These composers also represent the stylistic components that are associated with recognizable elements of Black music within the Black Nationalistic vernacular, such elements are: call and response, the use of spirituals, and jazz influences.

This dissertation will focus on the following works: Ulysses Simpson Kay's Tromba for Trumpet and Piano; Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork's Sonata for Trumpet and Piano; Regina Harris Baiocchi's Miles Per Hour for Unaccompanied Trumpet; and Charles Lloyds Jr's. The Crucifixion for Trumpet and Piano. The methodological approaches of this study include biography, compositional style analysis, and cultural history. The aim of this study is to increase the awareness within the academic community of the solo trumpet works by African American composers, thus encouraging further investigation and performance of their works.

Subject Area
African American Studies, Black studies, Music

Recommended Citation
Orrin Wilson, "The Contributions of Twentieth Century African American Composers to the Solo Trumpet Repertoire: A Discussion and Analysis of Selected works by: Ulysses S. Kay, Adolphus C. Hailstork, Regina Harris Baiocchi, and Charles Lloyd, Jr" (January 1, 2011). ETD collection for University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Paper AAI3461362. 

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3461362 

[Adolphus C. Hailstork (b. 1941) and Ulysses S. Kay (1917-1995) are profiled at AfrClassical.com, which features a complete Works List for Ulysses S. Kay by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma, http://www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com]