Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 25, 1904 in Jarratt, VA

Death

:

February 6, 1989 in Petersburg, VA

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

 

Undine Smith Moore was an African American composer and educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. She was born on August 25, 1904, in Jarratt, Virginia, to parents who were both educators. Her mother was a music teacher, and her father was a principal at a local school. From a young age, Moore showed a keen interest in music, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her passion. Moore began her formal music education at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she studied piano and composition. She later transferred to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University) in Petersburg, Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 1926. After graduation, she taught music at several schools in Virginia, including the Virginia State College, where she had studied. In 1929, Moore received a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City. There, she studied composition with Howard Hanson and piano with Bernard Wagenaar. She also studied choral conducting with William L. Dawson, who would become a lifelong friend and mentor. During her time at Juilliard, Moore composed several works, including her first major composition, "Sonata for Piano." After completing her studies at Juilliard, Moore returned to Virginia State College, where she taught music for over 40 years. She also continued to compose, and her works began to gain recognition. In 1941, her composition "Afro-American Suite" won first prize in a competition sponsored by the National Association of Negro Musicians. This was the first of many awards and honors that Moore would receive throughout her career. Moore's music was deeply influenced by her African American heritage and the spirituals and folk songs of her childhood. She often incorporated these elements into her compositions, creating a unique and powerful sound. Some of her most notable works include "Scenes from the Life of a Martyr," a cantata based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., and "Afro-American Suite for Flute and Piano," which has become a staple of the flute repertoire. Moore was also a dedicated educator and mentor. She believed strongly in the importance of music education and worked tirelessly to promote it. She founded the Black Music Center at Virginia State College, which provided resources and support for African American composers and performers. She also served as a mentor to many young musicians, including the composer and pianist Billy Taylor. Moore's contributions to the world of classical music were significant and far-reaching. She was a trailblazer for African American composers and performers, and her music continues to inspire and influence musicians today. She passed away on February 6, 1989, but her legacy lives on through her music and the countless musicians she inspired and mentored throughout her career.

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