Arthur Cunningham facts for kids
Arthur Cunningham (born in Piermont, New York on November 11, 1928, and died in Nyack, New York on March 31, 1997) was an American composer and teacher. He taught many students who became successful, like singer Kate Davidson and pianist John Ellis.
Arthur Cunningham's Life
Arthur Cunningham started writing music when he was just 12 years old. He wrote songs for his own jazz band to play. He went to Fisk University and earned his first degree in 1951. Then, he studied at the famous Juilliard School from 1951 to 1952. Later, he got his Master's degree from Columbia University's Teachers College in 1957.
In 1951, the National Association of Negro Musicians held a special concert just to feature his musical works. Cunningham also served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. While in the Army, he wrote music for military bands and even for television shows.
Between 1963 and 1973, Cunningham created seven large musical shows for the stage. He loved to mix different popular music styles in his work, including jazz, gospel, and rock. Some of his pieces were very similar to what we now call "rock operas," and he wrote them even before the term became popular!
Stage Works
Here are some of the musical works Arthur Cunningham created for the stage:
- Patsy Patch and Susan’s Dream (1963): This was a rock musical made for children. Cunningham wrote the libretto, which means he wrote the story and all the words for the songs. It was first performed in Orangeburg, New York.
- The Beauty Part (1963): This was a musical show that used improvised piano music. It was performed in Blauvelt, New York.
- Violetta (1963): A musical based on a play by J. Audiberti.
- Ostrich Feathers (1965): Another rock musical play for children. It was first performed in New York City.
- Concentrics (1969): This was a piece for an orchestra. The Symphony of the New World asked him to write it, and they performed it for the first time at Lincoln Center in New York.
- His Natural Grace (1969): A full rock opera where Cunningham wrote the story and words himself.
- Night Song (1973): This was a theatre piece that was never performed. It included texts in different languages like Swahili, Gullah, and English.
- House by the Sea: This musical was not finished, but Cunningham wrote the story for it.
