James Lee III

Doctor of Musical Arts

Morgan State University

Associate Professor of Composition/Theory

phone: (410) 746.8959

e-mail:james.lee@morgan.edu

e-mail: compositeur_4@hotmail.com

www.jamesleeiii.com

EDUCATION:

4/2005 Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition, The University of Michigan

With cognates in Music Theory and Church Music

· Awarded a High Pass in the Oral Preliminary Exam (4/8/04) as the first one in the composition department in four years to do so. Rankings include high pass, pass, low pass, fail.

· (Degree and paperwork conferred August 19, 2005)

4/2001 Master of Music in Composition, The University of Michigan

With cognates in Performance and Music Theory

4/1999 Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, The University of Michigan

COMPOSITION TEACHERS:

The University of Michigan: Michael Daugherty, William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, Betsy Jolas, Susan Botti, Curtis Curtis-Smith, Erik Santos, and James Aikman
Tanglewood Music Center: Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Gandolfi, Stefan Asbury, Steven Mackey, Kaija Saariaho, and Augusta Reed Thomas.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

2005–Present Associate Professor of Composition and Theory,

Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

· Teaches/taught Theory I – IV

· Forms and Analysis (Undergraduate and Graduate)

· Advanced Chorale Literature (Graduate)

· History of Black Music (Graduate)

· Composition Seminar (Undergraduate)

· Private Composition Lessons (Graduate)

- - - The challenge for this course was to provide easy methods for the students to gain good and valuable aural skills with a minimal amount of theory training prior to college.
    - Styles used in teaching these classes included sing backs, pointing, and a quasi Schenkerian approach to analyzing melodic and harmonic dictation to provide tools for better dictation skills

- Music Theory Aural Skills Tutor

2002-04 Music Director and choir conductor, General Youth Conference

Summer/2001 Piano Instructor, Marygrove College, Detroit, MI

Piano instruction to children

September 2005 – present, Piano Accompanist and Assistant Conductor for the

Emmanuel Brinklow Seventh-day Church Chorale in Ashton, MD

1997 – 2001 Accompanist for the Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale

Ann Arbor, MI

1999 – 2002 Piano/Composition Instructor, Flint School of Performing Arts,

Flint, MI

Piano and composition instruction to all levels of students.

1999 - 2004 Piano accompanist in voice studios of Willis C. Patterson, Shirley

Verrett, George Shirley, Daniel Washington, Freda Herseth,

And Martha Shiel

1996 Class Piano Instructor, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI

AWARDS, HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS:

2005 Sonata for piano was a required repertoire work for the piano

competition portion of the National Association of Negro Musicians (St. Louis, MO)

2003 Charles Ives Scholarship – American Academy of Arts and Letters,

given to up-and-coming composition students of promise. (NY)

2002 Tanglewood Music Center – Seiji Ozawa Composition Fellow

2001 – 05 Rackham Merit Fellowship – University of Michigan

2001 Winner of Leigh Morris Chorale Choral Composition Competition

1999 Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

1999 Mu Phi Epsilon

1998 Golden Key National Honor Society

1998 Monday Musical Competition

Recent Commissioned Works:

2007 A Different Soldier’s Tale. The world premiere will be by Leonard Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, December 2008

2007 A Child’s Toccata for Piano commissioned by Dr. Karen Walwyn for “Creative Afternoons” a musical educational tool.

2007 Lamb of God, Who Liveth for chorus, organ, and string orchestra

Commissioned by Dr. Lloyd Mallory, Director of Music at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Takoma Park, MD (April 2007)

2007 Orchestration of Calvary Medley by Shelton Kilby III

Commissioned by Dr. Lloyd Mallory, Director of Music at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Takoma Park, MD (April 2007)

2007 Orchestration of Examine Me by Dr. Cedric Dent of Take 6

Commissioned by Jason Ferdinand, Director of Pine Forge Academy Choir, Pine Forge, PA (March 2007)

2007 …at that moment past midnight (in progress) for chorus a cappella for Diedre Robinson’s “Concert Choral Music of Living African American Composers” for November 2008

www.robinson-music.com

2004 Concerto for piano and orchestra

- Commissioned by Milica Jovanovic for a Contemporary music

festival in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (2006)

2004 Two Choral Works (My Lord, What a Mournin’ & Her Thought

and His)

- Commissioned by Willis Patterson and the Our Own Thing

Chorale for the South African Tour (Summer 2005)

2004 Six Poems by Langston Hughes for bass-baritone and piano

- Commissioned by Daniel Washington, voice professor and

Associate Dean for Minority Affairs, University of Michigan

2004 Through the Eyes of Time for orchestra

- Commissioned by Anthony Elliott and the Alabama All-State

Festival Orchestra (Mobile)

2003 Shirat Ha Seh for chorus and orchestra

- Commissioned by Roy H. Ferguson

2003 Fantasía Ritmica for piano

- Commissioned by Marcelo Cáceras, Andrews University

2002 A Place for God’s People for orchestra

- Commissioned by Morihiko Nakahara, Andrews University

2002 From Me Flows Understanding for soprano and organ

- Commissioned by the Twin Cities Organ Guild

(Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, MI)

2001 Variations on Balm in Gilead for organ

- Commissioned by Marilyn Mason, University of Michigan

2000 Ascend the Mountain for organ

- Commissioned by Kenneth Logan and Andrews University

2000 Sonata for Violin and Piano

- Commissioned by John Littlejohn, University of Michigan

1999 This Little Light of Mine (arrangement)

- Commissioned by Marcía Porter, University of Michigan

1998 Give Me Jesus (arrangement)

- Commissioned by Kenneth Logan, Pioneer Memorial Church

Andrews University, Satellite Uplink Program (NET 98)

Works written for other special occasions:

2004 Now unto Him who is able for SATB choir and piano

- Written for the General Youth Conference, Sacramento, CA

- www.generalyouthconference.org

2004 Set Me As a Seal Upon Thine Heart for voice and piano

- Written for a wedding in Troy, MI

2003 Alleluia for SATB choir a cappela

- Written for General Youth Conference, Ann Arbor, MI

2003 …Of Love and Peace for piano

- Written for a wedding in Tokyo, Japan

2002 A Day to Remember for SATB Choir

- Written for the General Youth Conference, San Bernadino area,

PUBLICATIONS:

2008 Compositions published by Subito Music (www.subitomusic.com)

2002 New Anthology of African American Art Songs

- When You Feel a Little Blue from Thoughts of Idle Hours

- Compiled by Willis C. Patterson

2002 The New Negro Spiritual

- This Little Light of Mine

- Compiled by Willis C. Patterson

2002 Sing Unto the Lord: 99 New Songs of Sabbath, Heaven, Jesus’

Second Advent

RECORDINGS as Composer/Pianist:

2002 The New Negro Spiritual

- This Little Light of Mine, Alice Tillman (soprano), James Lee III,

piano

Media Appearances:

2004 – 2005 Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), Music director of

General Youth Conference (GYC), GYC Choir

2002 WHFB-FM Radio, Benton Harbor, MI

Interview to discuss my work From Me Flows Understanding for soprano and piano that was premiered June 16, 2002 at a concert entirely of my music.

2001 FOX 2 News Detroit

Interview to discuss my work Papa Lapa for orchestra that the Detroit Symphony Orchestra read in its Emerging African American Composers Reading Sessions on April 21 & 22, 2001.

1998 NET 98 Satellite Evangelistic Series, to 6 continents

Pioneer Memorial Church, Andrews University, (Michigan)

Media articles of Dr. James Lee III related to “Beyond Rivers of Vision” and Morgan State University below).

“Composer on the Fast Track” – Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun, October 17, 2006

http://www.topix.net/content/trb/4137270515317679371600358360591606324815

“NSO Delights with Old and New” – Tim Page, Washington Post, October 20, 2006

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/19/AR2006101902095.html

“NSO’s Beyond Rivers of Vision Rouses the Senses” – Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun, October 24, 2006

http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2660230608008178578942500373272901843894

“Lee takes center stage at Morgan” – Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun, February 4, 2007

http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2360378590172294869030940585791807440884

“Choral Arts tackles war, peace” (An evening of Lee’s music) – Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun, March 5, 2007

http://www.topix.net/content/trb/2544215813246037079300819147532888325949

“Honoring, praising King in music” – Tim Smith, Baltimore Sun, January 17, 2008

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/custom/unisun/bal-to.bso17jan17,0,7138025.story

“DSO does Black Composers Proud” – Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press, February 23, 2008

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/ENT04/802230317/1039/ENT04

“James Lee III/National Symphony Orchestra Premiere – A firsthand report of the premiere of a young Adventist composer’s work by the National Symphony Orchestra

International Adventist Musicians’ Association (IAMA) – Dr. Kenneth Logan, Autumn 2006.

“Nate and Rhea discuss how a new Maryland composer is making a name for himself on the national scene. James Lee III recently joined the staff at Morgan State University as an assistant professor in composition and theory.”

http://www.mpt.org/artworks/thisweek/archive/2006/061018.cfm

Reverberations, The National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. Volumn 4, Issue 2, December 23, 2006

“National Symphony Orchestra Premieres New Work by Composer James Lee III at the Kennedy Center”

GUEST PRESENTATIONS and Residencies:

2007 Guest Composition Lecturer at the Nathan Carter School of Music

at the New Shiloh Baptist Church, Alethia Starke, Dean

2004 Composer-in-Residence, Alabama All-State Orchestra Festival,

Mobile, AL

2004 Meet the composer session, Mobile, AL

This session was designed to discuss music, in particular my work Through the Eyes of Time, an education in music, and serve as a mentor for young high school students interested in pursuing a career in music.

2004 Presentation to members of the Michigan Youth Symphony,

Ann Arbor, MI

2002 - 04 Music presentation to inmates during Black History Month

Milan Federal Prison

Lecture on music by people of African descent from the 18^th to the 21 century focusing primarily on western art music and the Negro spiritual.

2004 Music presentation to middle school youth at Lincoln Middle

School, Ypsilanti, MI

2002 Music presentation to middle school youth, Benton Harbor, MI

2001 Presentation on music composition, Highland Avenue Seventh-day

Adventist Church, Benton Harbor, MI

1997 – 1999 Presentation to elementary and middle school students in Flint, MI

List of compositions including premiere dates and information:

Choral

…at that moment past midnight (in progress) for chorus a cappella for a premiere in November 2008 in Washington D.C. including the group Choralis.

Listen, Ye People of God (1996, rev. 2002) (ca. 16’), mixed chorus, organ, timpani, horn, trumpet

· Premiered May 24, 1996 at Andrews University

· 2^nd Performance in Benton Harbor, MI (2002)

· Composed for Stephen Zork at Andrews University for a religious program at Pioneer Memorial Church. Biblical texts come from Deuteronomy, 2 Thessalonians, and Jeremiah.

Psalm 61 (2002) (ca. 9’), mixed chorus a cappella

· Premiered by members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus in Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood (2002).

· Written under the supervision of John Oliver, Tanglewood Festival Chorus Director, Steve Mackey, and Michael Gandolfi.

Sympathy (2001) (ca. 9’), mixed chorus, flute, percussion, harp

· Premiered by the Leigh Morris Chorale in St. Paul, MN (2002)

· Text from Paul Laurence Dunbar and written as a composition competition entry.

Alleluia (2003) (4’45’’), mixed chorus a cappella

· Premiered by the Oakwood Aeolians of Oakwood College, Lloyd Mallory, director in Huntsville, AL (April, 2006)

· Inspired by Randall Thompson’s “Alleluia”

My Lord, What a Mournin’ (2005) (ca. 4’), mixed chorus and piano

· Premiered in Cape Town, South Africa (2005) by Willis Patterson and the “Our Own Thing Chorale”

· Second and third Performance (4/6/06 & 5/2006) by the Morgan State University Choir at Morgan State University, Dr. Eric Conway, conductor

· Written for a tour to South Africa in June/July 2005.

Let the Words of My Mouth (2005) (ca. 1’25”), mixed chorus a cappella

· Premiered December 31, 2005 in Chattanooga, TN at the General Youth Conference by the GYC Choir, www.generalyouthconference.org

· Written especially for this conference and conducted by the composer.

The Day is At Hand (2005) (ca. 4’46”), mixed chorus, brass quartet, and piano

· Premiered December 31, 2005 in Chattanooga, TN at the General Youth Conference by the GYC Choir, www.generalyouthconference.org

· Written for this conference and conducted by the composer.

Lamb of God, Who Liveth (2007) (ca. 7’46”), mixed chorus, organ, and string orchestra

· Premiered at Sligo SDA Church, Takoma Park, MD. Dr. Lloyd Mallory Jr., conductor

· Written for an Easter celebration service at Sligo SDA Church in Takoma Park, MD.

Come Unto Me (2007) (ca. 5’), mixed chorus and piano, mixed chorus and orchestra

· Pine Forge Academy Choir and Orchestra, May 5, 2007. Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor

· Morgan State University Annual Spring Concert, Dr. Eric Conway, conductor

In this Marriage (2006) for mixed choir a cappella, Andrews University, August 2006

· Written for the composer’s wedding

Organ

Ascend the Mountain: A Walk with Dr. King (2000) (ca. 9’)

· Premiered by Kenneth Logan at Andrews University (2000)

· 2^nd Performance by Linda Mack in Benton Harbor, MI (2002)

· Other miscellaneous performances

· William Kitterman, Yale University, May 2007

· Composed for a special Black History Month celebration program at Andrews University, February 2000 in Pioneer Memorial Church

Canção de Néiazinha (2006) for Organ and String Quartet, Andrews University, August 2006

· Written for the composer’s wedding.

Variations on Balm in Gilead (2001) (ca. 6’)

· Premiered by Marilyn Mason at the University of Michigan (June 2001)

· 2^nd Performance by Linda Mack in Benton Harbor (2002)

· Commissioned by Marilyn Mason

From Me Flows Understanding (2002) (ca. 19’) with soprano solo

· Premiered by Julia Lindsey, soprano and Linda Mack, organ in Benton Harbor, MI (2002)

· Later performances by Jill Pearon, soprano and Krista Shinew, organ in southeast Michigan, (fall of 2002)

· Commissioned by the Twin Cities (Michigan) Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Piano

Sonata for Piano (2002) (ca. 12’)

· Premiered by the composer at the University of Michigan, November 24, 2003

Fantasía Rítmica (2003) (ca. 7’)

· Premiered at Morgan State University by Dr. Stephanie Bruning, February 26, 2007

Encounters with I AM (2001) (ca. 40’)

· Three movements premiered by the composer in Benton Harbor, MI

· (June 2002)

…Of Love and Peace (2003) (ca. 2’ 40”)

· Premiered by the composer at the Tokyo SDA Church, Tokyo, Japan (June 2003)

Vocal Music

Thoughts of Idle Hours (1998 – 1999) (ca. 12’) soprano and piano

- Text by Myra Viola Wilds

· Premiered by Varvara Fitisova and James Lee III (April 2000)

· 2^nd Performance at Indiana University (March 2001)

· 3^rd song of the cycle included in the 2^nd Anthology of Art Songs by African American Composers compiled by Willis Patterson

· Performed at Morgan State University, February 26, 2007 by Dr. Margaret Olson and Dr. Samuel Springer

Set Me As A Seal Upon Thine Heart (2004)

· Premiered by Laura Heilig and James Lee III in Troy, MI, July 11, 2004

· Performed by Dr. Margaret Olson and Dr. Samuel Springer on February 26, 2007 at Morgan State University

· Written for a wedding in Troy, MI

Four Songs of Love and Death (2003) (ca. 10’), bass/baritone and piano

- Text by Langston Hughes

· Premiered by Vincent Stringer and Adam Mahonske at Morgan State University, February 26, 2007.

Orchestral Music

Papa Lapa (2001) (11’ 33’’)

· First movement (Arise to Existence 1924) premiered by the University Philharmonia Orchestra at the University of Michigan, February 6, 2001

· Read by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, April 22, 2001 with Thomas Wilkins at the podium.

· Written as a master’s thesis under the supervision of William Bolcom

· Instrumentation: 2 fl, 2 ob, e.hn, 2 cl, 2 bsn, 4 hn, 3 trp, 3 trb, tb, timp + 3 perc, harp, piano, and strings

A Place for God’s People (2002) (ca. 12’)

· Premiered by the Andrews University Symphony Orchestra (February 23, 2002)

· Commissioned for the centennial celebration of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI

· Instrumentation: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn, 4 hn, 3 trp, 3 trb, tb, timp + 3 perc, piano, and strings

Through the Eyes of Time (2003) (10’ 34’’)

· Premiered by the Alabama All-State Orchestra in Mobile, AL (Feb. 8, 2004) with Anthony Elliott, conductor

· Commissioned by the Alabama All-State Festival Orchestra

· Instrumentation: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn, 4 hn, 3 trp, 3 trb, tb, timp + 3 perc, harp, and strings

Beyond Rivers of Vision (2005) (ca. 14’)

· World Premiere, October 19 – 21, 2006 with the National Symphony Orchestra,

Leonard Slatkin conducting at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

· Written as a dissertation under the supervision of Michael Daugherty

· Instrumentation: 2 fl, 2 ob, e.hn, 2 cl, 2 bsn, cbsn, 4 hn, 3 trp, 3 trb, tb, timp + 3 perc, celesta, harp, and strings

· Performance of the first movement by the Philadelphia Orchestra with Thomas Wilkins conducting, (Martin Luther King Program) January 21, 2008

· Performance of the first movement by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Thomas Wilkins Conducting, (Classical Roots Concert), February 21 – 23, 2008

New Work for Orchestra titled to be announced. Work will be premiered with Leonard

Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in December 2008.

Chamber Music

Sonata for Violin and Piano (2000) (16’ 33’)

· Premiered by John Littlejohn, violin and James Lee III, piano at the University of Michigan (April 9, 2000)

· Composed for John Littlejohn’s senior recital.

Sonata for Cello and Piano (2002) (20’)

· Premiered by Anthony Elliott, cello and James Lee III, piano at the University of Michigan (April 2002)

The Appointed Time for String Quartet (1999) (ca. 22’)

· Premiered in Seiji Ozawa Hall at the Tanglewood Music Center, August 4, 2002

· Written as an exercise describing temptation in music.

Into Sonic Horizons (2006) (ca. 24’)

· Premiered by Anita Thesen, flute, Elizabeth Gunlogsen, clarinet, and James Lee III, piano, February 26, 2007 at Morgan State University

· Composed especially for the inaugural program of the Morgan Chamber Players and James Lee III’s faculty recital featuring selected music composed from (1998 – 2007)

Negro Spiritual Arrangements

Give Me Jesus (1998) (ca. 3’ 30’’)

Premiered by Janice Chandler, soprano and James Lee III, piano at Andrews University (Nov. 1998)
2^nd performance by Candace Johnson (May 2002)
3^rd performance by Julia Lindsay (June 2002)
4^th performance by Candace Johnson (September 2002)

This Little Light of Mine (2001) (ca. 2’ 30”)

Premiered by Marcía Porter at the University of Michigan, December 9, 2001.
Subsequent Performances by Julia Lindsay, Candace Johnson, and Alice Tillman
Included in the New Negro Spiritual Anthology compiled by Willis Patterson

Electronic Music

Questions, (2001), Electronic Music Studios, Media Union, The University of Michigan
Language Transformations (Winter 2002), The University of Michigan
His Countenance, (Fall 2002), The University of Michigan

Additional performance at the Micro-festival, “Eclectronica”, Rackham Auditorium, The University of Michigan (March 2004)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

American Music Center
Society of Composers, Incorporated (SCI)
ASCAP
College Music Society
International Adventist Musicians Association (IAMA)
American Composers Forum

Significant Upcoming Performances

Beyond Rivers of Vision (I. Hiddekel: Third from Life) – January 15, 2008, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Joseph Young (Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall), Baltimore, MD

Beyond Rivers of Vision (I. Hiddekel: Third from Life) – January 21, 2008, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins (Martin Luther King Jr. High School) Philadelphia, PA

Beyond Rivers of Vision (I. Hiddekel: Third from Life) – February 21 – 23, 2008, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Wilkins (Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI)

Beyond Rivers of Vision (Movements I and III) – September 26, 2008, The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Robin Fountain, conductor. Benton Harbor, MI.

A Different Soldier’s Tale – December 2008 (World Premiere), The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin (Orchestra Hall, Detroit, MI)