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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Black Composer: Identity, Invisibility, Relevance And The Making Of A Brand In The Digital Age

Lomax, Mark A, II
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386084020

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Musical Arts, Ohio State University, Music.
Art music composers of African descent have composed works for symphonies and chamber ensembles for more than a century. It is interesting to note that Black composers cannot be readily identified by many of the performers who would likely play their music. It seems that Black composers of art music are invisible beyond one or two well-known composers whose works are performed more often by traditional classical musical organizations. Even educated Black Americans demonstrate difficulty naming Black composers of art music. As a result, a crisis of identity has developed amongst Black composers who seem to be artists without a home for which a box has not been created to adequately explain their creations. Most Black composers of art music are as comfortable speaking in the musical language of Europe as they are speaking in the vernacular languages of blues, gospel, jazz, r&b, and hip-hop. This document uses the words of Black composers as captured in two primary texts and in an inventory of questions developed by the write to explore the notion of an identity crisis among Black composers of art music, and considers the contributing factors and reasons behind this crisis. The document will also explore how community engagement and the use of technology may provide possible solutions that will assist in raising the level of relevance and visibility of Black composers within the Black community and across the vast American cultural landscape. Finally, the document concludes by suggesting that developing `ethnic blackness’ as a brand might allow composers to more effectively interact with the listener, create support for their works and, in turn, develop a degree of relevance and financial stability that will allow Black composers to operate within an artistic infrastructure that presents, promotes, and preserves their work.
Jan Radzynski, DMA (Advisor)
William T. McDaniel, PhD (Committee Member)
Graeme Boone, PhD (Committee Member)
75 p.
African American Studies; African Americans; Music
Black Composer; Invisibility; Identity; Relevance; Art Music; Social Media; Branding; American Culture; Music

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lomax, II, M. A. (2013). The Black Composer: Identity, Invisibility, Relevance And The Making Of A Brand In The Digital Age [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386084020

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lomax, II, Mark . The Black Composer: Identity, Invisibility, Relevance And The Making Of A Brand In The Digital Age . 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386084020.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lomax, II, Mark . "The Black Composer: Identity, Invisibility, Relevance And The Making Of A Brand In The Digital Age ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1386084020

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1386084020
1,563
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.