Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1960

 

Fred Onovwerosuoke is a Nigerian-American composer, ethnomusicologist, and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on March 22, 1960, in Ghana, Fred grew up in a family of musicians. His father, Alfred O. Onovwerosuoke, was a composer, conductor, and musicologist, while his mother, Felicia O. Onovwerosuoke, was a singer and music educator. Fred's parents were both Nigerian, and they moved to Ghana in the 1950s to work as music educators. Fred's early exposure to music came from his parents, who encouraged him to learn to play the piano and sing. He also learned to play the guitar and drums and was exposed to a wide range of African and Western musical styles. Fred's parents were passionate about preserving and promoting African music, and they instilled this passion in their son. Fred's formal music education began at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied music theory, composition, and performance. He later earned a Master's degree in music composition from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh. Fred's compositions are a fusion of African and Western musical styles, and he has been praised for his ability to seamlessly blend these two traditions. His works are characterized by their rhythmic complexity, use of African percussion instruments, and incorporation of African folk melodies and rhythms. One of Fred's most notable works is his opera, "The African Woman," which premiered in 1993. The opera tells the story of an African woman who is forced to choose between her traditional African values and the Western values imposed on her by colonialism. The opera features a blend of African and Western musical styles and has been performed in the United States, Nigeria, and South Africa. Another notable work by Fred is his "African Suite," which is a collection of five pieces for orchestra that incorporate African rhythms and melodies. The suite has been performed by orchestras around the world, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ghana, and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Fred is also a music educator and has taught at several universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Michigan, and the University of Cape Town. He has also conducted workshops and masterclasses in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Fred's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2000, he was awarded the African Heritage Award for Excellence in Music, and in 2005, he was named a MacArthur Fellow. He has also been awarded the ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Prize, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Classical Roots Award, and the African Music Society's Distinguished Africanist Award. In conclusion, Fred Onovwerosuoke is a Nigerian-American composer, ethnomusicologist, and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His works are characterized by their fusion of African and Western musical styles, and he has been praised for his ability to seamlessly blend these two traditions.

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