Composers

John Elwood Price

1935 - 1995

About

John Elwood Price was an African-American composer, pianist, ethnomusicologist, and music teacher. He composed approximately 600 musical works in a wide variety of genres. His works are widely performed in the United States by professional groups.

Elwood began to study piano when he was five years old. He was a musical prodigy. In sixth grade he wrote a piece for piano that he performed at the graduation ceremony. In high school, he learned (and composed for) orchestral instruments. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano and composition from Lincoln University in 1957. There he studied composition with David Baker. In 1963, he earned a Master of Music at the University of Tulsa, where he studied with Oscar Anderson Fuller and Bela Rozsa. He later studied music at Washington University in St. Louis, working with Robert Wykes and Harold Blumenfeld.

Related Information

Works by John Elwood Price

Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra Yes Full Orchestra Cello 20+ Professional
Confession Yes Full Orchestra Men's vocal quartet 5-10 Professional
Lest Thou Bless Me Yes Full Orchestra Soloists, speakers 20+ Professional chorus-orchestra
Suggestion for the Century Yes Chamber Speakers 10-20 Professional SATB chorus-woodwinds-brass-perc-organ
The Damnation of Doctor Faustus Yes Chamber Tenor Professional 1022-2111-perc-harp-str-SATB