Contributions of four selected twentieth century Afro-American classical composers: William Grant Still, Howard Swanson, Ulysses Kay, and Olly Wilson

• Other Authors: James, Shaylor Lorenza.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/lib/digcoll/etd/3161606

Afro-American musicians have made significant contributions to the field of classical music beginning as early as the Baroque period. Twentieth-century Afro-American composers who write for the orchestra are continuing the historical tradition of their predecessors. === The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to develop a sourcebook which explores the contributions of four selected twentieth-century Afro-American composers: William Grant Still, Howard Swanson, Ulysses Kay, and Olly Wilson; and (2) to provide a perspective through which scholars and educators may become more aware of orchestral compositions by these composers and explore musical and philosophical influences on the composers, particularly those arising from ethnic heritage. === Literature considered relevant to this study can generally be assigned to one of four categories: (1) the ethnic heritage of Afro-American music in the United States; (2) Afro-American composers of instrumental music before 1900; (3) Afro-American music in the United States after 1900; and (4) the status of Afro-American classical composers in the United States during the twentieth-century. === Examination of selected works includes, but is not limited to, the kinds of analytical procedures appropriate for similar styles of European concert music. The descriptive analysis of each composition includes examination of the relationships present within and among the various musical elements of the work. Examination for possible presence of ethnic musical traits and influences is integrated into the total descriptive analysis procedure. The selected orchestral works represent the composers' highest level of achievement in composition and illustrate the diversity of styles which exist among orchestral repertoire composed by these four twentieth-century Afro-American musicians. === Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: A, page: 1616. === Major Professor: Colleen Kirk. === Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.