Carlos Simon (composer) facts for kids

Carlos Simon (born in 1986) is an amazing African-American composer. He writes Western classical music, which is a type of music that has been around for a long time. Carlos Simon is very important in the music world. He is the main composer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is a famous place for arts in Washington, D.C. He is also the first-ever Composer Chair for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a well-known orchestra. Plus, he teaches at Georgetown University.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Carlos Simon was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Atlanta. His father was a preacher, so Carlos mostly listened to gospel music when he was young. This type of music, with its free and creative style, really helped him develop his own way of composing. He also learned from famous composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms.

When he was just ten years old, Carlos started playing piano for church services. That's when he also began taking formal piano lessons. Later, he worked as a keyboard player and music director for R&B artists like Angie Stone and Jennifer Holliday.

Carlos studied music at Morehouse College and Georgia State University. He then went on to the University of Michigan for his advanced studies. He used to teach music at Spelman College and Morehouse College. In 2019, he became a professor at Georgetown University.

Big Roles in Music

In 2024, the Boston Symphony Orchestra announced that Carlos Simon would be their very first Deborah and Philip Edmundson Composer Chair. This is a three-season job where he helps with educational concerts, works with conductor Andris Nelsons to plan music programs, and writes new pieces for the orchestra to play.

In 2021, Carlos Simon received the Sphinx Medal of Excellence from the Sphinx Organization. He was only the second composer ever to get this special award! In the same year, he became the composer-in-residence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2018, he was recognized as a Sundance/Time Warner Composer Fellow by the Sundance Institute.

Many famous groups have asked Carlos Simon to write music for them or have performed his works. These include the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra.

What Inspires Carlos Simon's Music?

Carlos Simon's music often talks about important social justice issues. He likes to include themes of activism in his work. For example, his piece Elegy for string quartet honors the memories of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner.

Another powerful piece is Requiem for the Enslaved. In this work, he mixes African-American spirituals with parts of the traditional Latin mass and even elements of hip hop. This piece tells the story of the 1838 sale of enslaved people to help pay off debts for Georgetown University. Carlos Simon also finds inspiration from visual artists like Bill Traylor and Romare Bearden for some of his compositions.

Awards and Recognition

Carlos Simon has won several important awards during his career.

• Sphinx Medal of Excellence (2021): This is a very special award from the Sphinx Organization. Carlos Simon was only the second composer to receive it.
• Grammy Award Nomination (2023): His album, Requiem for the Enslaved, was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Contemporary Classical Composition.
• The Magis Prize (2024): On September 5, 2024, Georgetown University announced that Carlos Simon was one of the winners of The Magis Prize. This award is given to scholars who are making a big impact in their field. It provides them with money and time off to focus on their research and creative work.