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Composer

 

Jacqueline Hairston is a renowned classical music composer, pianist, and arranger. She was born on July 3, 1932, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to a family of musicians. Her father, J. Ernest Hairston, was a composer, arranger, and choir director, while her mother, Mildred McDaniel Hairston, was a pianist and organist. Jacqueline Hairston grew up in a musical environment and started playing the piano at the age of four. Hairston attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where she studied piano with Rosina Lhevinne and composition with Vincent Persichetti. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1953 and later earned a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Hairston's career as a composer began in the 1950s when she started writing music for the theater. She composed the music for several off-Broadway productions, including "The Blacks" by Jean Genet and "The Connection" by Jack Gelber. She also wrote music for television and film, including the theme song for the popular TV show "The Bill Cosby Show." In the 1960s, Hairston turned her attention to classical music and began composing works for orchestra, choir, and solo instruments. Her compositions are known for their blend of classical and African American musical traditions. Hairston's music often incorporates spirituals, gospel music, and jazz elements. One of Hairston's most famous works is her arrangement of the spiritual "Elijah Rock." The piece has been performed by numerous choirs and orchestras around the world and has become a staple of the choral repertoire. Hairston's other notable works include "Mary Had a Baby," "Hold On," and "I've Been 'Buked." Hairston has also been a champion of the music of African American composers. In 1968, she founded the Spirituals Ensemble of the New York City Opera, which performed works by African American composers such as William Grant Still and Harry T. Burleigh. Hairston also served as the music director of the Harlem School of the Arts and taught at the City College of New York. Hairston's contributions to classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2018, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Negro Musicians. She has also been inducted into the Winston-Salem State University Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In addition to her work as a composer, Hairston is also an accomplished pianist. She has performed as a soloist and accompanist in concerts around the world. Hairston has also recorded several albums of her music, including "Hold On" and "Mary Had a Baby." Hairston's legacy as a composer and musician continues to inspire new generations of musicians. Her music has been performed by choirs and orchestras around the world and has become an important part of the classical music canon. Hairston's dedication to promoting the music of African American composers has also helped to bring greater recognition to the contributions of these artists to the classical music tradition.

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