Julius Penson Williams

Julius Penson Williams (born June 22, 1954 in The Bronx, New York), is an American composer, conductor, and college professor.[1]

Julius Penson Williams
Born (1954-06-22) June 22, 1954
The Bronx
EmployerBerklee College of Music
Websitejuliuspwilliams.com

An author of both instrumental and vocal music, Julius Williams has composed operas, symphonies, and chorus works for stage, concert hall, film, and television.[1] Primarily a classically trained musician,[2] Williams has shown his aptitude in writing in genres including gospel, jazz, and other contemporary forms.

Williams was educated in the New York public school system and graduated in 1972 from Andrew Jackson High School, a performing arts school in Queens, New York.[1][3]

Williams attended Herbert Lehman College and Hartt School of Music where he received his, B.S. and M.M.E. respectively. He was bestowed an honorary doctorate from Keene State College in New Hampshire. While in Colorado, Williams studied orchestral conducting and composition at the Aspen Music School in 1984.[4] Williams has over 33 guest conducting experiences, over 11 artist-in-residencies, visiting fellowships, and teaching positions. Moreover Williams has, also, received awards for musical excellence and contributions from classical to African American folk music.

He has studied, performed and taught, extensively, abroad from Russia to China.[5] Countless groups, choirs, and ensembles have performed and honored him for his musical inventions. Williams has written articles, edited an anthology, and submitted writings to journals on the music of African Americans.

Currently, Williams is a full-time professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA since fall 1998. He teaches composition, conducting, theory, and also runs the Berklee International Composers Institute. He is also the conductor of the Great American Songbook Orchestra.

People who Williams has credited as having influenced his music are Ulysses Kay, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Charles Bell and John Corigliano.

Appointments
Photograph

President of the International Conductors Guild 2019-

Professor of Composition/ Artistic Director of The Berklee Contemporary Symphony Berklee College of music

Music Director/Conductor Trilogy An Opera Company 2009-

Served as assistant director of music at Abyssinian Baptist church in Harlem 1983-86

Artistic Director of New York State Summer School of the Arts 1988-1995

Works

Choral
  • In commendation of music, for SATB (1988). Première: 1988
  • The Spring, for SATB (1982). Première: 1982 commissioned by Roland Carter and the Hampton University choir
  • The Fall, for SATB (1982). Première: 1982 commissioned by Roland Carter and the Hampton University choir
  • The Winter, for SATB (1982). Première: 1982 commissioned by Roland Carter and the Hampton University choir
  • The Summer, for SATB (1982). Première: 1982 commissioned by Roland Carter and the Hampton University choir
  • The Lamb, for SATB (1982). Première: 1983 commissioned by the Association of Connecticut choruses for the 1983 conference at Yale University Premiered by the New Haven chorale

Instrumental

Instrumental works:[6]

  • Fanfare and Fugetto (1997) ca - Organ solo ...Dedicated to three organ friends
  • Vermont's Escape ( 1989) - Clarinet/Piano/Tuba/Perc, Commissioned: Vermont Contemporary Ensemble, First Performance Congregational Church Vermont, December 1989
  • Times of Troubles (1981) - Flute and Piano, First Performance: Society of University Composers 1981, LSU University, February 1982
  • Alison's Dream (1981), Oboe and Piano, First Performance: Dr. Alison Williams, oboe, Wesleyan University, May 1981
  • Serenade (1980) - Piano solo, First Performance: Real Art Ways Connecticut, 1981
  • In Roads (trio) (1986) ca 12, Flute, Oboe and Cello
  • Fantasy on Bach (1984) ca 5, Percussion/marim/xyl, First Performance: Connecticut Valley Youth Wind Ensemble, University of Hartford. Conductor: Peter Boonshaft
  • Sounds of Colors (1976), Organ Solo 5', With-In Myself (1976) ca 6, Voice/clarinet/2 Trps/trombone, First Performance: Herbert H. Lehman College
  • Fanfare and Fugetto (1997) ca, Organ solo. Dedicated to three organ friends
  • Vermont's Escape (1989), Clarinet/Piano/Tuba/Percussion. Commissioned: Vermont Contemporary Ensemble. First Performance Congregational Church Vermont, December 1989
  • Times of Troubles (1981) - Flute and Piano. First Performance: Society of University Composers, 1981, LSU University, February 1982
  • With-In Myself (1976) ca 6, Voice/clarinet/2 Trps/trombone. First Performance: Herbert H. Lehman College

Orchestral

Orchestral works:[7]

  • Songs of Our Culture (Chamber Orchestra) Commissioned by the (Boston Symphony Orchestra) tribute to Maude Cuny Hare CA 15 minutes strings, Flute, trpt, Clarinet, Horn,Tuba,Percussion (2020)
  • A Journey to Freedom (cantata), the john Daniels tribute CA 30 minutes, 3323/4321/tym,piano, percussion, Chorus, Orchestra, Soprano, Tenor soloist Commissioned by the Reston choral, November 2002
  • Midnight Tolls. In Memeoriam September 11, 2001(2002) 3323/4321/Tym,percussion,piano,strings CA 9'30. Detroit Symphony Emerging composer recording Thomas Wilkins, March 16/17, 2002
  • March of the Giant Pandas (2001) CA 6', 1111/22/strings/percussion.First Performance People Republic of china. Embassy, Washington dc, Washibgton Symphony Jan.2001
  • A Mountain night recessional (2000) Ca 7'. 2222/4321/strings/perc and solo Soprano Voice. First Performance: Washington Symphony. Biltmore Estates Summer festival, North Carolina, July 2000
  • A Norman Overture (1985) ca 8'. 2222/4321/strings/xyl/marim/perc. First Performance: New York Philharmonic. Zubin Mehta, May 1985
  • Meditation (1993) ca 6'. from the cantata Easter Celebration. 2222/4321/strings,a/sax/tsax/per. Commissioned Shenandoah University Virginia. Performance: Cleveland Orchestra. Jahja ling, 1994
  • A Dance (1993) from the cantata Easter Celebration. 2222/4321/strings/Asax/Tsax/perc. Commissioned Shenandoah University Virginia. First performance: Shenandoah University Virginia
  • Toccatina for Strings (1985) ca 8'. String orchestra. Commissioned camerata youth orchestra. First performance: cw post college 1985
  • To Praise (1982) ca 10'. satb chorus/alto soloist/strings/ piano. Commissioned congregational church Hartford, CT
  • Blues Concerto for harmonica and orchestra (1996) ca 25'app.. 3232/4331/strings/asax /tsax/ perc /piano. Commissioned Etowah Youth Symphony orchestra. First Performance: Etowah Youth Symphony orchestra. Mike Gagliarodo, conductor
  • Easter Celebration (1993) ca 60'. Alto, Ten Soloist/ chorus/ orchestra/ jazz ensemble'. Gospel choir / dancers. Commissioned Shenandoah University Virginia. First performance: Shenandoah University Virginia. Julius P. Williams, Conductor, April 10, 1993
  • Cinderella Ballet (1987) ca 120'. 2222/4321/strings, perc. Commissioned Nutmeg Ballet Connecticut. First performance: New Haven Symphony. Julius P. Williams, conductor
  • Cinderella Ballet Suite' (1991) ca 15'. 2222/4321/strings, perc.
  • Heartbeat (1990) ca 3'. 2222/4321/strings/ perc./ piano/ elec/ bass. From the Film Score. First performance: orchestra Virginia Beach, September 1992
  • Is It True for high voice and orchestra ca 4'. 2222/4321/Strs/piano. Commissioned Shenandoah University Virginia. First performance: Shenandoah University Virginia. Julius P. Williams, Conductor, April 10, 1993

Discography
  • Heart on the Wall, Dvorak Symphony,Albany Records (CD) release Summer 2011
  • This is the Sound of Harmony composition Dreams Boston Children’s Choir 2010
  • Somewhere far Away, Dvorak Symphony, Albany Records (CD) 2008, Troy 1072
  • Place in Time,Dvorak Symphony, Albany Records (CD) 2007, Troy 979
  • Midnight Tolls,Dvorak Symphony, Albany Records (CD) 2006
  • The New American Romanticism- Dvorak Symphony, Albany Records (CD) 2004, Troy 704
  • The American Soloist (Dvorak Symphony) Albany Records (CD) 2004 TROY 687
  • Shades of Blue Visionary/Albany (CD) Records Troy 431 February 2001
  • Symphonic Brotherhood The Music of African American Composers ,Albany Records (CD)Troy104
  • Fare Ye Well Visionary Records 2003
  • The Great American Songbook-Berklee recording the music of Burt Bacharach, Berklee recording 2008
  • The Great American Songbook-Berklee recording the music of Duke Ellington, Berklee recording 2007
  • The Great American Songbook- the Music of Stevie Wonder, Berklee recording 2007
  • Love Stories - Julius Williams Conductor track "Violins"-Independent Gordon Chambers 2007
  • Orchestra and Choral conducting with Vytausus Marijosius" Coleridge Taylor Perkinson, Charles Bruck,
  • Hugh Ross, John Motley, Gerald Mack, Murray Sidlin, Kurt Klippstatter
  • Piano with Ann Gelfand, Dr. Watson Morrison; Jazz piano with Jaki Byard - 1979 to 1980
  • Schillinger Jazz Arranging at New School for Social Research, New York, with Richard Brenda
  • Composition with Ulysses Kay, John Corigliano, Charles Bell, and Coleridge Taylor Perkinson
  • Orchestration with Fred Norman - 1973 to 1971

Appearances
  • ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION "Harmonica Concerto" featured -Educational Documentary, 1997
  • CPR (RADIO): Interview - "What's New" - June 1994
  • WQXR RADIO: New York with Robert Sherman. "The Listening Room" - June 7, 1989
  • WQXR RADIO: New York with June Labell. "Symphony Saint Paulia" - January 1989
  • SCTV - PBS: National Teleconference. South Carolina - February 1989
  • WCBS TV: "Sunday Morning" with Charles Kuralt - Nationally broadcast - Fall 1988
  • WQXR RADIO: New York with Robert Sherman. Panelist on Composition at the Aspen Music Festival
  • VPR (RADIO): Interview - March 1989
  • CPTV: Guest Conductor for televised performance of "Purlie" segment with Connecticut Opera Association for Connecticut Arts Awards - July 1983
  • WFSB - TV: Hartford, Connecticut - "Up Front" - October 1982

Musical theatre (compositions)
  • June 1999, Musical Score "Indahomey"New Federal Theater, New York, NY
  • November 1995, Musical Score for "The Paradise"Huntington Theater, Boston, Mass
  • March 1991, Musical score for "Balm Yard". (Off Broadway). Premiered Riverside Church Theatre produced by the New Federal Theatre, New York.
  • February 1981, Musical score for "Dreams Deferred" (Woodie King, Producer). Premiered at the New Federal Theatre, New York, NY
  • February 10, 1979, Musical score for "Princess Too Tall" (Book by Karl Friedman). Premiered at the Henry Street Settlement Arts for Living Center, New York, NY
  • November 17, 1978, Musical score for Mio (Book for Shauneille Perry). Premiered at the New Federal Theatre, New York, NY – March to May 1988
  • January 28, 1978, Musical score and lyrics for The In Crowd" - (Book by J. E. Franklin) (Off Broadway). Premiered at the Henry Street Settlement Arts for Living Center, New York, NY

Film and video
  • October 2002- Fighting for Our Future, Principal Pictures/ lifetime TV October 10, 2002, 2003 Gracie Award winner, Yeah, My heart Beats loud, Juniper Pictures( independent) 1993
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References

8

  1. White, Evelyn Davidson (1996), Choral music by Afro-American composers; A selected, annotated bibliography, London: Scarecrow Press, p. 212, ISBN 0-8108-3037-X
  2. Faculty BiographyFaculty Biography, Berklee College of Music, retrieved 2011-05-30
  3. Jaques Cattell Press (1985). Who's Who in American Music, p. 676. R.R. Bowker.
  4. Handy, D. Antoinette (1985). Black conductors, p. 469. Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, NJ. ISBN 978-0-8108-2930-5.
  5. Berklee Today, Berklee College of Music, retrieved 2011-05-30
  6. "Julius Williams Compositions". Juliuspwilliams.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  7. "Orchestra Compositions". Juliuspwilliams.com. Retrieved 2011-05-31.

https://www.berklee.edu/news/berklee-now/julius-p-williams-elected-first-african-american-president-conductors-guild

9 https://www.baystatebanner.com/2019/01/25/in-the-news-julius-p-williams/ 10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductors_Guild 11 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trilogy:_An_Opera_Company 12 https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/julius-p-williams-jr

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