Renowned Choral Composer Alice Parker Passes Away at 98

A revered figure in American choral music, Alice Parker, passed away at the age of 98 in Hawley, Massachusetts. Renowned for her hymn, folk song, and spiritual arrangements, Parker's compositions graced concert halls and churches across the United States. Her work extended to the creation of 11 song cycles and four operas, which contributed to her legacy as a pillar of choral music.

Life and Accomplishments

Alice Parker was a graduate of Smith College and Juilliard School, where she eschewed the prevailing 12-tone modernist trends in favor of modal music traditions. Her collaboration with the Robert Shaw Chorale marked a significant period in her career, producing hundreds of beloved works. Parker's emphasis on simplicity made her music endearing to both amateur and professional singers.

A Voice for Communal Singing

Parker believed in the power of communal singing to foster a sense of unity and brotherhood, a belief that was mirrored in her civil rights activism and was reflected in her oratorio 'Sermon From the Mountain' honoring Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her dedication to choral music was not only professional but also personal, as she sought to make singing accessible to all. Parker's passion for poetic texts led her to musicalize works such as Emily Dickinson's poetry and Eudora Welty's novella for opera.

An Enduring Legacy

Despite facing personal and historical tragedies, including the loss of her husband and Dr. King, Parker continued composing, her art resonating with themes of love, pain, and the human condition. In her later years, she founded the Melodious Accord choir and focused on sharing her music through teaching and community engagement. Parker's impact on music and her approach to composition remain influential elements in the world of choral music.

composer, choral, legacy