The 1960s
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Theory 2a
This assignment dates from March 28, 1960, when Adolphus Hailstork was only eighteen (nearly nineteen) years old. The purpose of the composition, more than likely, was to demonstrate skill at writing different kinds of chord progressions and cadences. Dr. Hailstork was a freshman at Howard University when he wrote this piece.
Kampus Kapers '63
This early work musical theater piece is alternately titled, "The Race for Space." Written in 1963 while Dr. Hailstork was at Howard University, the story line is based on a book of the same title which was written by Dorothy Rudd. Dr. Hailstork collaborated with Ms. Rudd on the lyrics for the songs and wrote all of the music himself. The only productions of this work took place on May 16-18, 1963, in the Ira Aldridge Theatre at Howard University. The production company, known as The Kampus Kapers, was directed by Robert Edward West. Click here to see the performance program.
Concert
Invention
Completed on December 19, 1963, this work comes from Dr. Hailstork's first semester as a masters student at the Manhattan School of Music, and reflects a further refinement of his compositional technique. "Concert Invention" reflects a fugal construction with contrapuntal interest added by the frequent juxtaposition of mixed meters. The piece loosely begins around the key of D minor but strays liberally as the melodic ideas develop. The florid and accented ending on a D major chord hints at the picardi third often found in pieces that are similarly constructed from the Baroque era.
Phaedra
This work was completed on February 15, 1965 in New York while Dr. Hailstork was nearly finished as a masters student at the Manhattan School of Music. "Phaedra" is one of the first works that Dr. Hails