Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

October 3, 1908 in Okfuskee County, OK

Death

:

January 17, 2004 in Xenia, OH

 

Zenobia Powell Perry was an American composer and pianist who was born on January 3, 1908, in Boley, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of four children and grew up in a musical family. Her father, a Baptist minister, was also a musician who played the piano and organ. Her mother was a singer and pianist who taught music to her children. Perry began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. She attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University) where she studied music and earned a degree in education. After graduation, she taught music in public schools in Oklahoma and Texas. In 1930, Perry moved to Chicago to study music at the Chicago Musical College. She studied composition with Florence Price, a prominent African American composer, and pianist. Perry also studied piano with Rudolph Ganz, a Swiss pianist and conductor. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1936 and a Master of Music degree in 1937. After completing her studies, Perry returned to Oklahoma and taught music at Langston University. She also continued to compose music and perform as a pianist. In 1943, she moved to Los Angeles and began teaching music at the University of Southern California. She remained at USC for 25 years, retiring in 1968. Throughout her career, Perry composed music in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, vocal music, and piano music. Her music was influenced by African American spirituals, jazz, and the music of other cultures. She often incorporated folk melodies and rhythms into her compositions. One of Perry's most famous works is her Symphony in A Major, which she composed in 1937. The symphony was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1940 and was the first symphony by an African American woman to be performed by a major orchestra. The symphony is a four-movement work that features lush harmonies and sweeping melodies. It has been described as a "masterpiece of American symphonic music." Perry also composed several works for solo piano, including her Piano Sonata No. 1, which she composed in 1947. The sonata is a three-movement work that showcases Perry's virtuosic piano writing and incorporates elements of jazz and blues. The sonata has been performed by many pianists, including the renowned pianist and composer, Aaron Copland. In addition to her compositions, Perry was also a dedicated teacher and mentor to many young musicians. She was a founding member of the National Association of Negro Musicians and served as its president from 1969 to 1973. She also served on the board of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and was a member of the National Endowment for the Arts. Perry continued to compose music and perform as a pianist well into her 90s. She passed away on June 6, 2000, at the age of 92. Her legacy as a pioneering African American composer and musician continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers.

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