Julia Smith (composer)

Julia Smith (25 January 1911 Denton, TX-27 April 1989 New York City) was an American composer, pianist and writer on music. She graduated from University of North Texas (1930) and then continued with graduate studies in piano and composition at the Juilliard School from 1932–1939, earning a diploma. She simultaneously studied at New York University earning a Masters degree in 1933 and a PhD in 1952. From 1932-1939 she served as pianist for the Orchestrette Classique of New York, a women’s orchestra. During this time she also gave concerts of mostly American music in Latin America, Europe, and throughout the United States. As a performer she became particularly associated with the works of Aaron Copland. From 1941-1946 she taught at Hartt College, where she founded the department of music education.

As a composer Smith is best known for her operas and orchestral works, which have all been performed. Her music incorporates elements of jazz, folk music and 20th-century French harmony. Her compositional style has an appealing directness and although tonal, makes interesting use of dissonance. Among her best works are "The String Quartet", which uses irregular metres and driving rhythms; and the operas "Cynthia Parker" and "Cockcrow", which employ folk music within a generally conservative tonal idiom.

Smith was the recipient of several commissions and awards and was active in several music organizations, especially the National Federation of Music Clubs, for which she chaired the Decade of Women Committee (1970–79). As a writer her publications include "Aaron Copland: his Work and Contribution to American Music" (New York, 1955) and a "Directory of American Women Composers" (Chicago, 1970), of which she was the editor.

ources

*Adrienne Fried Block. The "New Grove Dictionary of Opera", edited by Stanley Sadie (1992), ISBN 0-333-73432-7 and ISBN 1-56159-228-5