An-Ming Wang facts for kids

An-Ming Wang is the special name used by a Chinese-American composer and pianist named Marion Wang Mak. She was born on November 7, 1926. She is known for creating many different kinds of music.

Her Life Story

An-Ming Wang grew up in Shanghai, China. Her parents, Cheng Hsu and Eling Wang, both studied in the United States. Her mother loved music and learned to play the piano at Wellesley College. Even though An-Ming lived in China, her parents made sure she heard a lot of Western music as a child.

She earned a degree in engineering from Central China University. In 1948, she moved to the United States. There, she continued her music studies. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Wesleyan Conservatory (now Wesleyan College). She also got a Master of Arts degree in music education from Columbia University. She even studied at the famous Juilliard School. Later, she married William Mak.

An-Ming Wang's music has won many awards. She received honors from groups like the National League of American Pen Women and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). She also got a special grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. Her music has been played in many important places. These include the White House in Washington, D.C., the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Her works have also been featured at the Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, South Carolina.

Wang is a member of several important music organizations. These include ASCAP, the Friday Morning Music Club, and the International Alliance for Women in Music. Her music has been shared by Hildegarde Publishing.

Her Amazing Music

An-Ming Wang has written many different types of musical pieces. Here are some examples of her compositions:

Chamber Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, usually one player per part.

• Dialogue (for flute, clarinet, and piano; 1983)
• East Wind (for flute or violin and piano; 1982)
• Jestures (for flute, clarinet, and piano; 1983)
• Octet (for woodwind instruments; 2018)
• Sonata for violin and piano (1978)

Opera

An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing.

• Lan Ying

Orchestra Music

Orchestra music is written for a large group of musicians playing many different instruments.

• Homeless Child (a ballet suite)
• Introduction and Allegro (1982)
• Symphonic Projections (1977)

Piano and Organ Music

These are pieces written for solo piano or organ.

• Arabesque (1978)
• Concerto (for piano and orchestra)
• Dance Chinois (1978)
• Fantasy for Solo Organ (2001)
• Mahjong Suite (1977)
• Mystic Moments, for organ (2009)

Vocal Music

Vocal music is written for singers, sometimes with instruments.

• Agnus Dei (for men's chorus; 1981)
• Anna Meets Baby Jesus (for children's chorus; 1977)
• "Autumn Winds" (for soprano and piano; 1974)
• Chinese Lullaby (for children's chorus; 1980)
• "Come My Love" (for voice and piano; 1975)
• Gloria (for chorus and orchestra)
• God Created People (for children's chorus; 1979)
• Requiem (for mixed chorus and orchestra; 1982)
• "Songs for All Seasons" (for voice and piano; 1982)