Laura Clayton facts for kids
Laura Clayton, born on December 8, 1943, is an American pianist and composer. This means she writes music and plays the piano! She was born in Lexington, Kentucky.
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About Laura Clayton
Laura Clayton loved music from a young age. She studied at several famous music schools across the United States. She went to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and Columbia University in New York. There, she learned from a great composer named Mario Davidovsky.
She also studied composition, which is the art of writing music, with Darius Milhaud at the Aspen Music School. She earned a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory in Boston. Later, she lived in Brazil for a while before continuing her studies at the University of Michigan, where she earned a special doctorate degree in musical arts.
After finishing her studies, Laura Clayton became a professional composer. In 1980, one of her musical pieces was chosen to represent the United States at an important international event called the International Rostrum of Composers.
Her music is known for its interesting rhythms and a special, mysterious feeling. She often gets ideas for her compositions from nature. One of her famous pieces, Cree Songs for the Newborn, was based on poems and was chosen to represent the USA at the 1980 UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers in Paris.
Awards and Recognitions
Laura Clayton has received many special awards and grants for her musical work. These include:
- Charles Ives Prize from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, 1980
- Walter B. Hinrichsen Award
- NEA awards
- Jerome Foundation grant
- University of Michigan grant
- Alice M. Ditson Fund grant
- Guggenheim Foundation grant, 1984
- MacDowell Fellow
Her Compositions
Laura Clayton has written many different types of music. Here are some of her works:
Chamber Music
Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, often played in a smaller room or "chamber."
- Mobile no. 2, for voice and piano, 1975
- O Train Azul for guitar, 1977
- Cree Songs to the Newborn for Soprano and chamber orchestra, 1987
- Passagio, for piano, 1978
- Herself the Tide, for Soprano and piano, 1981
- Panels, for chamber ensemble, 1983
- Clara's Sea, for women's voices, 1988
- Joie, for piano, 1990
Orchestral Music
Orchestral music is written for a large group of musicians, like a symphony orchestra.
- Sagarama with piano, 1984
- Terra Lucida, 1988
Tape Music
Tape music uses recorded sounds, sometimes combined with live instruments.
- Implosure for two dancers, slide and tape, 1977
- Simichai-ya, sax, echoplex, tape, 1987
