In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Adolphus Hailstork

Born: 1941. Living in: Virginia Beach, United States.
Adolphus Hailstork received his doctorate in composition from Michigan State University, where he was a student of H. Owen Reed. He completed earlier studies at the Manhattan School of Music, under Vittorio Giannini and David Diamond, the American Institute at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger, and Howard University with Mark Fax.

Dr. Hailstork has written in a variety of genres, producing works for chorus, solo voice, piano, organ, various chamber ensembles, band, and orchestra. His early compositions include Celebration, recorded by the Detroit Symphony in 1976; and two works for band (Out of the Depths, 1977, and American Guernica, 1983), both of which won national competitions. Consort Piece (1995), commissioned by the Norfolk Chamber Ensemble, was awarded first prize by the University of Delaware Festival of Contemporary Music.

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

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Adolphus Hailstork : Three Dunbar Hymns

Paul Laurence Dunbar was born June 27, 1872 in Dayton, Ohio. He died there on February 9, 1906. Dunbar was the first African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim. He penned a large body of dialect poems, standard English poems, essays, novels, and short stories, before he died at age 33. His work often addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race and the efforts of African-Americans to achieve equality in America. He was praised both by the prominent literary critics of his time and by his literary contemporaries.

Songlist: When Storms Arise, Lead Gently, Lord, Little Lamb

Adolphus Hailstork : Four Spirituals

Conceived a a set there is also a short prelude.

Songlist: Great Day!, In Dat Great Gettin' Up Mornin', Cert'ny Lord, He's Got the Whole World In His Hand

Individual Folios

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Adolphus Hailstork : A Christmas Canticle

Adolphus Hailstork : A Kwanzaa Litany

Adolphus Hailstork : A Kwanzaa Litany (Let It Be So)

Adolphus Hailstork : Break Forth

Adolphus Hailstork : Five Short Choral Works: Crucifixion

Adolphus Hailstork : Five Short Choral Works: I Will Sing Of Life

Adolphus Hailstork : Five Short Choral Works: Nocturne

Adolphus Hailstork : Five Short Choral Works: The Cloths Of Heaven

Adolphus Hailstork, Anonymous : Go Down Moses

Composer: Adolphus Hailstork, Anonymous

Adolphus Hailstork : I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes

An 18-minute cantata set to the text of Psalm 121.

Adolphus Hailstork : Little David, Play On Yo' Harp

Adolphus Hailstork : Meditation

Using a text from Philippians, Hailstork has created a beautiful and gentle meditation for 4-part treble chorus, appropriate both for secular and sacred use, asking us to "think on these things, whatever is true, honest, noble." The 4 1/2-minute work was composed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Virginia Children's Chorus.

Adolphus Hailstork : Missa Brevis for Treble Chorus

Missa Brevis is a fairly conventional work from Hailstork, whose style encompasses all aspects of his life as a musician. is is serious art music for professional performers, touching on African-Ameri can themes as well as Protestant church music, having spent many years of his life as a Unitarian minister. Written for female a cappella voices, Missa Brevis is excellent for concert use. Appropriate for high school or skilled church choirs.