May 5, 2021, SOME BLACK COMPOSERS BORN BETWEEN 1950-1953 and 2 DMV COMPOSERS

DIEDRE MURRAY born 1951 Cellist, Musical Theater https://freshairarchive.org/segments/cellist-diedre-murray

DR. CYNTHIA COZETTE LEE. born 1953 Cozette is the great-granddaughter of Warren Garner, an African slave who fought during the American Civil War in the 4th Regiment Infantry of the United States Colored Troups. Cozette's original music compositions have not been published, however, over 45 of her vocal, instrumental and operatic works are registered with the Library of Congress through the United States Copyright Office. Cynthia Cozette Lee-Composer/Flutist Lee Soundbite Nigerian Treasures Solo Flute https://www.cynthiacozettelee.com/

ANTHONY DAVIS. born 1951 “The Central Park Five” opera https://www.npr.org/2020/05/04/850166148/anthony-davis-wins-pulitzer-prize-for-his-opera-the-central-park-five

Opera News has called Anthony Davis, "A National Treasure," for his pioneering work in opera. His music has made an important contribution not only in opera, but in chamber, choral and orchestral music. He has been on the cutting edge of improvised music and Jazz for over three decades. Anthony Davis continues to explore new avenues of expression while retaining a distinctly original voice. Mr. Davis has composed five operas. A graduate of Yale University in 1975, Mr. Davis is currently a professor of music at the University of California, San Diego. In 2008 he received the “Lift Every Voice” Legacy Award from the National Opera Association acknowledging his pioneering work in opera. He has been an artist fellow at the MacDowell Colony and at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center in Italy.

JAMES E. MOORE, JR. born 1951 Catholic Sacred Music Composer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcn1-9Fg0WA

Roman Catholic James E. Moore Jr. (b. 1951) brings the African-American gospel tradition to the Mass. He is a composer, conductor, pianist and master teacher who currently resides in Vienna, Austria, where he serves as a professional coach and teaches voice and conducting. A native of LaCrosse, Va., he holds undergraduate degrees in both piano and vocal music education and graduate degrees in piano and choral conducting. Dr. Moore is known for his choral conducting and leadership of congregations. His most popular songs are “Taste and See,” “I Will Be with You” and “An Irish Blessing,” all of which have been sung, recorded and appear in hymnals throughout the world. Over 16 of his compositions published by GIA.

DR. GERALDINE CONNOR 1952-2011. Composer, Ethnomusicologist, Pannist

Geraldine Connor and the Trailer to “Carnival Messiah” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RewFKMSFjk8 3:00

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth, from “Carnival Messiah” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1KqXfiB_Oo 7:10

Stanley J. Thurston, Jr. composer, arranger, pianist, conductor

The Heritage Signature Chorale Mr. Stanley Thurston is well known as a pianist, composer, and arranger. His orchestral arrangements have been performed by the symphony orchestras of Baltimore, New Jersey, and the National Symphony Orchestra. His choral arrangements are published by GIA.

Mr. Stanley Thurston currently serves as Director of Music at the historical Foundry United Methodist Church, Washington, D.C. He is the founding Music Director of the acclaimed The Heritage Signature Chorale.