Edward Boatner
Encyclopedia
Edward Boatner was an African American
composer who wrote many popular concert arrangements of Negro spiritual
s.
in Quindaro, Kansas, Boston Conservatory
and received a Bachelor of Music
from the Chicago Music College (Now the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
). He also studied music privately. He began as a Concert singer with the encouragement and assistance of Roland Hayes
— who performed many of Boatner's works on his concert programs—and choral director R. Nathaniel Dett. He also sang leading roles with the National Negro Opera Company
. For the National Baptist Convention
, he served as the director of music from 1925 to 1931. Boatner was a professor for Samuel Huston College (now Huston-Tillotson University
) and Wiley College in Marshall, TX. He then settled in New York
conducting a studio and directed community and church choirs. This allowed him to concentrate more on composing.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
composer who wrote many popular concert arrangements of Negro spiritual
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
s.
Biography
Boatner was educated at Western UniversityWestern University
Western University is a private university located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Founded in 1991 by Husein Baghirov, it has six schools, 25 majors, 180 faculty and approximately 1000 students. The university took its name because it is modeled after Western universities in style of instruction and...
in Quindaro, Kansas, Boston Conservatory
Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore region of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater...
and received a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
from the Chicago Music College (Now the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on...
). He also studied music privately. He began as a Concert singer with the encouragement and assistance of Roland Hayes
Roland Hayes
Roland Hayes was a lyric tenor and is considered the first African American male concert artist to receive wide international acclaim as well as at home...
— who performed many of Boatner's works on his concert programs—and choral director R. Nathaniel Dett. He also sang leading roles with the National Negro Opera Company
National Negro Opera Company
The National Negro Opera Company was the first African-American opera company in the United States.Organized in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Mary Cardwell Dawson, the company was resident in a Queen Anne-style house at 7101 Apple Street in the city's Homewood...
. For the National Baptist Convention
National Baptist Convention
National Baptist Convention may refer to:One of several historically African-American Christian denominations:*National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the oldest and largest denomination using this name, formed in the late 19th century...
, he served as the director of music from 1925 to 1931. Boatner was a professor for Samuel Huston College (now Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University
Huston–Tillotson University is a historically black university in Austin, Texas, United States. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the United Church of Christ, and the United Negro College Fund....
) and Wiley College in Marshall, TX. He then settled in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
conducting a studio and directed community and church choirs. This allowed him to concentrate more on composing.
Notable arrangements
- Oh, What a Beautiful City
- Le Us Break Bread Together
- Soon I Will Be Done
- Trampling
- I want Jesus to walk with me, for Marian AndersonMarian AndersonMarian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century...
Notable compositions
- Freedom Suite for chorus, narrator, and orchestra
- The Man from Nazareth, a "spiritual musical"
- Julius Sees Her, a musical comedy
External links
- Biography at afrovoices.com