Adolphus Hailstork facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adolphus Hailstork
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Adolphus Hailstork
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Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork III
April 17, 1941 |
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Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork III, born on April 17, 1941, is a talented American composer and teacher. He grew up in Albany, New York, after being born in Rochester, New York. As a young person, he learned to play many instruments, including the violin, piano, and organ. He also studied singing. Today, he lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Contents
A Composer's Journey
Early Music Studies
Adolphus Hailstork started his music journey in 1963. He studied how to compose music with a teacher named Mark Fax at Howard University. He earned his first music degree there in 1963. That same summer, he traveled to France to study at the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau with a famous teacher, Nadia Boulanger.
In 1965, Hailstork earned another music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He continued his studies there and received his master's degree in 1966. Later, in 1971, he earned his PhD in composition from Michigan State University.
Teaching and Inspiring Others
Mr. Hailstork has also been a dedicated teacher. From 1969 to 1971, he taught at Michigan State University. He then became a professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio from 1971 to 1976.
In 1977, he moved to Virginia. He became a music professor and a "Composer-in-Residence" at Norfolk State University. This means he was a composer who worked and taught at the university. He also taught at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Blending Musical Styles
Adolphus Hailstork has a rich family background. He has African American, Native American, and European ancestors. His music often mixes ideas from these different cultures. You can hear influences from African, American, and European music in his compositions.
In October 2022, a major radio station, BBC Radio 3, featured him as their "Composer of the Week." This was a special honor for his work. Mr. Hailstork got married in 2007.
Awards and Recognition
Adolphus Hailstork has received many awards for his amazing music. Here are some of them:
- 1971: Ernest Bloch Award for a choral piece called Mourn Not the Dead
- 1977: Belwin-Mills Max Winkler Award for Out of Depths
- 1983: First Prize from the Virginia College Band Directors for Guernica
- 1987: A Fulbright fellowship to study in Guyana
- 1992: Named a Cultural Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is a special title for artists
- 1995: First Prize at the University of Delaware Festival of Contemporary Music for Consort Piece
- 1999: The Brock Commission from the American Choral Directors Association
- 2001: An honorary doctorate degree from the College of William & Mary
His music is published by well-known companies like Theodore Presser Company and Carl Fischer Music. You can find some of his important papers and documents at Old Dominion University. They are kept in a special collection for composers.
Selected Musical Works
Adolphus Hailstork has written many different types of music. Here are some examples of his compositions:
Music for Solo Instruments
- 2 Scherzos for solo piano
- Bassoon Set for solo bassoon
- Eight Variations On "Shalom Chaverim" for solo piano
- Five Friends for solo piano
- Flute Set for solo flute
- Four Preludes for solo harp
- Great Day (That Great Gittin' Up Mornin') for solo carillon
- Ignis Fatuus (Mysterious Fires) for solo piano
- Piano Sonata No. 2 for solo piano
- Piano Sonata No. 3 for solo piano
- The Surprising Thing Is for solo violin
- Theme and Variations on "Draw the Sacred Circle Closer" for solo Cello
- Sonata for Solo Cello
- Three Smiles for Tracy for solo clarinet
- Trio Sonata for solo piano
- Two Studies on Chant Melodies" for solo organ
- Variations for solo trumpet
- Toccata on Veni Emmanuel for Organ
Music for Small Groups (Chamber Ensemble)
- American Fanfare for brass and percussion
- American Landscape for string duet
- Armegeddon for organ and two percussion players
- As Falling Leaves
- Baroque Suite for violin and piano
- The Blue Bag for clarinet and piano
- Consort Piece for seven instruments
- Divertimento for violin and viola
- Evensong for violin and cello
- Fanfare on Amazing Grace for brass, timpani, and organ
- "Fantasy, Elegy & Caprice" for cello and piano
- Fantasy Piece for viola and piano
- Four Hymns Without Words for trumpet and piano
- Guest Suite for four hands on one piano
- Ghosts in Grey and Blue for trumpet, horn, and trombone
- I Am Only One for choir
- John Henry's Big (Man vs. Machine) for trombone and piano
- Little Diversions for Lord Byron's Court for two violins or string duet
- Sanctum for clarinet and piano or viola and piano
- A Simple Caprice for clarinet and piano
- Sonata for trumpet and piano
- Sonata for two pianos
- Springtime for Elephants for two tubas
- String Quartet No. 1
- String Quartet No. 2 - Variations on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
- Three Meditations for viola and organ
- Two by Two for horn and trombone
- Variations on a Guyanese Folk Song for violin and piano
- Ventriloquist Acts of God for soprano and piano
- Violin Concerto for violin and piano
- Who is Sylvia? For Coloratura Soprano, Violin, and Piano
Music for Choir and Orchestra
- Break Forth for Chorus and Orchestra
- Crispus Attucks - American Patriot for singers, large choir, and orchestra
- Done Made My Vow for narrator, soloists, choir, and orchestra
- EarthRise (A Song of Healing) for two choirs and orchestra
- Four Spirituals for two sopranos, choir, and orchestra
- The Gift of the Magi A “Choral Ballet” for dancers, small orchestra and children's choir
- I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, a cantata for tenor, choir, and orchestra
- Serenade “To Hearts Which Near Each Other Move” for choir and orchestra
- Songs of Innocence for three soloists, choir and orchestra
- Within Our Gates for solo soprano, solo tenor, choir and string orchestra
- The World Called for solo soprano, choir and orchestra
Music for Choir
- Shout for Joy (The Bank Street Festival Anthem)
Music for Wind Ensemble
- American Guernica
Music for Orchestra
- An American Port of Call
- Baroque Suite for String Orchestra
- Church Street Serenade for String Orchestra
- Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra
- Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed In memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Essay for Strings
- Fanfare on Amazing Grace for Orchestra
- Hercules"
- Intrada
- Lachrymosa: 1919
- Sonata for Trumpet (or Clarinet) and String Orchestra
- Symphony No. 1
- Symphony No. 2
- Symphony No. 3
- Celebration!
- Three Spirituals
- Two Romances for Viola and Chamber Orchestra
- Violin Concerto
Operas
- Joshua’s Boots an Opera in one Act
- Paul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground An Operatic Theaterpiece
- Rise for Freedom: The John P. Parker Story
