Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

November 26, 1975 in St. Joseph, MI

Genre

:

Choral

 

James Lee III is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on May 25, 1975, in St. Joseph, Michigan. He grew up in a musical family, with his mother being a pianist and his father a singer. Lee began playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. He was also a member of his church choir, where he developed a love for choral music. Lee attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance. He later earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Kentucky. Lee's compositions are heavily influenced by his African American heritage and his Christian faith. He often incorporates spirituals and hymns into his works, as well as elements of jazz and blues. His music has been described as "powerful, expressive, and deeply spiritual." One of Lee's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, "African American Symphony," which was commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2006. The symphony is divided into three movements, each of which is inspired by a different aspect of African American culture. The first movement, "Spiritual Fantasy," is based on the spiritual "Wade in the Water" and features a solo trumpet. The second movement, "Blues Symphony," is a tribute to the blues and features a solo saxophone. The final movement, "Afro-American Symphony," is a celebration of African American culture and features a choir singing the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Another notable work by Lee is his opera, "The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing," which premiered in 2018. The opera tells the story of Alan Turing, a British mathematician and computer scientist who was persecuted for his homosexuality and ultimately committed suicide. The opera features a libretto by poet and playwright Mark Campbell and explores themes of identity, persecution, and redemption. Lee has received numerous awards and honors for his compositions, including the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award, and the University of Michigan's Emerging Artist Award. He has also been commissioned by several major orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Lee is also a professor of music at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been a member of the faculty since 2008 and teaches courses in composition, theory, and music history. Overall, James Lee III is a talented and accomplished composer whose works reflect his deep spirituality and his commitment to exploring the rich cultural heritage of African Americans. His music is powerful, expressive, and deeply moving, and he continues to be a major force in the world of contemporary classical music.

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