Adolphus Hailstork (born Adolphus Cunningham Hailstork III, April 17, 1941) is an American composer and educator. He grew up in Albany, New York, where he studied violin, piano, organ, and voice.
Hailstork was born in Rochester, New York, and obtained a BA from Howard University studying with Mark Fax, master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music studying with Vittorio Giannini and David Diamond, and a doctorate in music composition from Michigan State University in 1971, studying with H. Owen Reed. He also studies at The American Institute at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger.
He has served as professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio, as well as professor of music and Composer-in-Residence at Virginia's Norfolk State University. He is currently a professor of music and Composer-in-Residence at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Hailstork is of African American ancestry and his works blend musical ideas from both the African American and European traditions.
Hailstork's awards include a Fulbright fellowship (1987). In 1992 he was named a Cultural Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Old Dominion University maintains the Adolphus Hailstork Collection, in the special collections area of the F. Ludwig Diehn Composers Room, in the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center. In 1999, he was awarded the Brock Commission from the American Choral Directors Association. Hailstork is published by Theodore Presser Company and Carl Fischer Music.
Works for Solo Instruments
2 Scherzos for solo pianoBassoon Set for solo bassoonEight Variations On “Shalom Chaverim” for solo pianoFive Friends for solo pianoFlute Set for solo fluteFour Preludes for solo harpIgnis Fatuus (Mysterious Fires) for solo pianoPiano Sonata No. 2 for solo pianoPiano Sonata No. 3 for solo pianoThe Surprising Thing Is for solo violinTheme and Variations on "Draw the Sacred Circle Closer" for solo CelloThree Smiles for Tracy for solo clarinetTrio Sonata for solo pianoTwo Studies on Chant Melodies" for solo organVariations for solo trumpet
Works for Chamber Ensemble
American Fanfare for 3Tpt. 4Hn. 3Tbn. Tu. 3Perc. Timp.American Landscape for string duetArmegeddon for organ and two percussionAs Falling LeavesBaroque Suite for violin and pianoThe Blue Bag for clarinet and pianoConsort Piece for septetDivertimento for violin and violaEvensong for violin and celloFanfare on Amazing Grace for brass quintet, timpani, and organFantasy Piece for viola and pianoGuest Suite for four hands on one pianoJohn Henry's Big (Man vs. Machine) for trombone and pianoLittle Diversions for Lord Byron's Court for two violins or string duetSanctum for clarinet and piano or viola and pianoA Simple Caprice for clarinet and pianoSonata for trumpet and pianoSonata for two pianosSpringtime for Elephants for two tubasString Quartet No. 1String Quartet No. 2 - Variations on "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"Three Meditations for viola and organTwo by Two for horn and tromboneVariations on a Guyanese Folk Song for violin and pianoVentriloquist Acts of God for soprano and pianoViolin Concerto for violin and pianoWho is Sylvia? For Coloratura Soprano, Violin, and PianoWorks for Chorus and Orchestra
Break Forth for Chorus and OrchestraCrispus Attucks - American Patriot for mezzo, tenor,bass-bariton, large chorus, and orchestraDone Made My Vow for narrator, soloists, mixed chorus, and orchestraEarthRise (A Song of Healing) for two choirs and orchestraFour Spirituals for two sopranos, mixed chorus and orchestraThe Gift of the Magi A “Choral Ballet” for dancers, chamber orchestra and children’s chorusI will lift up mine eyes, cantata for tenor, choir, and orchestraSerenade “To Hearts Which Near Each Other Move” for SATB choir and orchestraSongs of Innocence for three soloists, chorus and orchestraWithin Our Gates for solo soprano, solo tenor, SATB chorus and string orchestraWorks for Orchestra
An American Port of CallBaroque Suite for String Orchestra (with optional Harpsichord)Church Street Serenade for String OrchestraEssay for StringsFanfare on Amazing Grace for OrchestraHercules"IntradaLachrymosa: 1919Sonata for Trumpet (or Clarinet) and String OrchestraSymphony No. 3Three SpiritualsTwo Romances for Viola and Chamber OrchestraViolin ConcertoOperas
Joshua’s Boots an Opera in one ActPaul Laurence Dunbar: Common Ground An Operatic Theaterpiece