Marsha Mabrey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marsha Mabrey
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Marsha Mabrey in 2020
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 7, 1949 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupations | Conductor, music educator |
| Associated acts | Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra |
Marsha Eve Mabrey, born on November 7, 1949, is an amazing African American conductor and teacher. She made history as the first African American woman to lead the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra.
Contents
Marsha Mabrey's Early Life and Education
Marsha Mabrey was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on November 7, 1949. Her father, Theodore Mabrey, was an aerospace design engineer. Her mother, Ella Jones Mabrey, was a homemaker.
Marsha started kindergarten in Niagara Falls, New York. She then began first grade in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Marsha started learning music in fourth grade, playing the violin. By the time she was in seventh grade, she knew she wanted to be an orchestra conductor. She wanted to be the one who shaped the whole musical picture.
Studying Music at University
Marsha Mabrey earned two degrees from the University of Michigan. She received her bachelor's degree in 1971 and her master's degree in 1972. There, she studied with famous conductors and violinists like Elizabeth A.H. Green and Theo Alcantara. She also studied viola with Francis Bundra and violin with Ángel Reyes. Later, Mabrey completed her coursework for a doctorate in orchestral conducting. This was at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.
Marsha Mabrey's Career in Music
Marsha Mabrey was always interested in both teaching and conducting. She taught at several universities and led their symphonies.
University and Orchestra Roles
- Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota (1978–1980)
- Grand Valley State College (now Grand Valley State University) in Allendale, Michigan (1980–1982)
- University of Oregon School of Music in Eugene, Oregon (1982–1989)
- Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington (1998)
She also worked as the Assistant Conductor for the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra in Grand Rapids, Michigan (1980–1981). Marsha Mabrey has been a guest conductor for many orchestras. These include Sinfonietta Frankfurt in Germany and the Oregon Symphony. She also conducted the Savannah Symphony, The Women's Philharmonic of San Francisco, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Leading Educational Programs
From 1991 to 1993, Marsha Mabrey was the vice president for Educational Affairs. This was for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in Detroit. In this role, she managed many important programs. These included the Ford Motor Company Youth Docent Program and the Civic Orchestra. She also oversaw the Educational Concert Series and the DSOH Fellowship Program. A big part of her work was the Unisys African-American Composers Forum and Symposium.
Making History in Seattle
In 1996, Marsha Mabrey became the first African American woman music director and conductor. This was for the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra in Seattle, Washington. In Seattle, she was known for helping the community. She also made sure to include music by lesser-known American composers. Some of these composers were Bern Herbolsheimer, Regina Harris Baiocchi, Joseph Curiale, and June Kirlin.
Mabrey also taught music in the Bellevue School District in Seattle. She was a string specialist, teaching at Newport High School and Chinook Middle School. In Bellevue, students had music lessons every day. Marsha Mabrey had high expectations for her students. They did very well under her guidance. She retired from the Bellevue School District in 2013.
Marsha Mabrey has been a board member of the Conductors Guild. She was also a member of the League of American Orchestras and the Music Educators National Conference.
Creative Projects and Symposiums
While teaching at the University of Oregon, Marsha Mabrey created and led two important events. These were the West Coast Women Conductors and Composers in Performance Symposium (1985) and the American Women Conductors and Composers in Performance Symposium (1986). These events celebrated women in music.
Highlighting Women in Music
The West Coast Symposium featured a panel of women composers. These included Elinor Armer, Emma Lou Diemer, and Nancy Van de Vate. Conductors like Karen Keltner and Marsha Mabrey also took part. The symposium ended with a concert of orchestral works by women. It included new pieces by Emma Lou Diemer and Nancy Van de Vate.
The American Symposium was even bigger, bringing in national talent. It featured composers and conductors such as Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and Tania León. Composer and pianist Elinor Armer gave the main speech. The symposium included chamber music, orchestral works by women, and discussions.
Supporting African-American Composers
From 1991 to 1993, Marsha Mabrey also developed and directed the African-American Composers Forum and Symposium. This project was supported by a grant from Unisys. It helped to highlight the work of African-American composers.
Marsha Mabrey's Personal Life
Marsha Mabrey met her life partner, Stephanie Wittman, in 1976. Stephanie Wittman is a social worker and psychotherapist. She retired in 2014. Marsha Mabrey and Stephanie Wittman were married in 2013.
