Composers

Fred Onovwerosuoke

1960 -

About

Fred Onovwerosuoke (b. 1960) Born in Ghana to Nigerian parents, Onovwerosuoke grew up in both countries and eventually naturalized in the United States. FredO", as friends call him, has traveled in more than thirty African countries doing field work and analyzing some of Africa’s abundant music traditions as well as in the American Deep South, the Caribbean and South America for comparative research in what he likes to call "traceable musical Africanisms." Onovwerosuoke's works have been featured in audio recordings, films, documentaries and radio, including Robert De Niro's film, The Good Shepherd, William-Chapman Nyaho's CD, ASA and Hymes/Hollister's CD African Art Music for Flute, Hudson/Henderson's CD, Libera, to mention a few. His numerous awards include multiple ASCAP Awards, American Music Center Award, Meet-The-Composer Award, and Brannen-Cooper Brothers Award. His book, Songs of Africa: 22 Pieces for Mixed Choirs published by Oxford University Press quickly became a favorite among choral directors across the globe, leading to the recent publications for upper voices Songs of Africa for Upper Voices Set 1 and Songs of Africa for Upper Voices Set 2. Onovwerosuoke's Twenty-four Studies in African Rhythms (AM Publishers), in two volumes) is one of the most-demanded African-rhythm influenced piano studies known. His Twelve African Songs for Solo Voice & Piano (distributed by AM Publishers) also sets a similar pace, globally. Fred Onovwerosuoke has served as Editor of the Voice of African Music newsletter (ISSN: 1938-2332) since 1993, serves on the boards of various professional bodies and maintains an active schedule as composer, scholar and choral conductor.

Related Information

http://fredomusic.com/index.html

Works by Fred Onovwerosuoke

Title Collection Voice Type Range Poet
Aiszonge! (Celebration) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice B3 - G5 Text based on Mokpe-Bakweri (Cameroon) traditional folktale collected by Lyombe Eko
Aleluya! (Aleluya, for the Christ's birth and resurrection) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice F#4 - G#5 Based on Shona (Zimbabwe) Traditional Gospel
Duniya (Mystic universe) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice Eb4 - F#5 Based on Mandinka/Bambera (Gambia/Mali) poem co-edited with Sankung Susso
Esato (Eight) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice C4 - F5 Based on Igbo (Nigeria) Traditional Melody
Herero Folktales 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice D4 - F5 Based on Herero (Namibia) Folksongs
Kaleeba (Look out!) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice F3 - C5 Based on Baganda (Uganda) Folktale
Luwah (Bitter tears) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice Bb3 - D5 Text based on Mokpe-Bakweri (Cameroon) traditional folktale collected by Lyombe Eko
Mshila (Guiding Spirits) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice D4 - G5 Based on Pende (Congo) Traditional lullaby
Ne Nkansu (Healing chant) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice F4 - F5 Based on Banda (Central African Republic) "Forest People" healing chant
Ngulu (Moving Along) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice G5 - E5 Based on Kamba (Kenya) traditional melody
Oluwa L'Oluso Agutan Mi (God is My Shepherd) (Christopher Ayodele) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice C4 - F5 Yoruba (Nigeria) Paraphrase of the Twenty-Third Psalm
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This is a test selection
Wunya Amane A (Faithful friend) (Second composer: J.H. Kwabena Nketia) 12 African Songs for Solo Voice and Piano Voice D#4 - F#5 Transcribed and edited by Fred Onovwerosuoke
Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
A Triptych of American Voices- A Cantata of the People Yes Full Orchestra Counter-tenor, Tenor 20+ Professional (3,2,2,2/ 2,2,3,1/Timp., 3 Perc./ Strings VI-CB), Counter-tenor & Tenor Soloists, Chorus of Mixed Voices.
Caprice for Piano and Orchestra Yes String Orchestra/Chamber Mezzo-soprano 10-20 Professional Strings VI to CB/Timpani (1 or 2pls)/Harp/SAchoir
Dance Tribute for Orchestra with Piano Obbligato Yes Full Orchestra Mezzo-soprano 20+ Professional 2,2,2,2/ 2,2,2,2/ Timp., 3Perc./Str. VI to CB./chr
Fantasia on "Lift Every Voice" Yes Full Orchestra Under 5 Professional 2,2,2,3/ 4,3,2,1/Timp., 2 Perc./ Strings VI-CB
Landscapes of Africa: A Tone Poem for Solo Soprano Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo and Orchestra No Full Orchestra 20+ Professional Single WW/electric bass/piano/synthesizer/Strings VI-CB
Meditation for Darfur for String Orchestra, Percussion, Harp, Mezzo-Soprano & Treble Choir Yes String Orchestra 10-20 Professional Strings VI to CB
Pennies for the Boatman Suite Yes Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 3,3,3,3/ 4,3,3,1/ Timp., 3 Perc./ Strings VI-CB
Suite No. 2 for String Orchestra No Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 3,2,2,2/ 2,2,2,1/ Timp., 2 Perc/ Strings VI-CB
Suite No. 3 for Orchestra ("frontiers of great new rhythms") No Full Orchestra 20+ Professional 3,2,2,2/ 2,2,3,1/Timp., 3 Perc./ Strings VI-CB
Suite No. 4 for Orchestra No Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional 1,1,1,1/2,2/Perc/Strings VI-CB
Suite No. 5 for Orchestra Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 3,2,2,2/ 4,4,2,2/ Timp., 3Perc /Str. VI to CB
The Gathering - An Overture Yes String Orchestra | Chamber 5-10 Professional Strings VI to CB/ Timp.(2 pl)
Tribute to Great African Composers for Orchestra, Mezzo Soprano and SATB Choir Yes Full Orchestra Piano 10-20 Professional 2 Trumpets, 1 player on Timpani & Triangle, and Strings
Warriors Dance for Orchestra (Fanfare for Orchestra) Yes Full Orchestra 5-10 Professional 2,2,2,2/ 2,2,2,2/ Timp., 2Perc/ Str. VI to CB
Warriors Dance for String Orchestra (Fanfare for Strings & Percussion) Yes Full Orchestra 10-20 Professional Solo Sop, Picc, Alt Flts, /2,2,2,2/ 4,4,2,2//Timp., 4Perc/ 2Hrp/ Strs. VI to CB