|
Performing Arts Library Special Collections in Performing Arts ABA Research Center 
|
Ostwald Award Archives
Winner 1959: Maurice Weed, Introduction and Scherzo [See an example]
Biography:
Maurice Weed (b. 1912), composer and retired music educator, was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He received his B.A. at Western Michigan University where he studied composition with H. Owen Reed. He then studied at Eastman School of Music where he received a B.M., M.M., and Ph.D. in composition. There his teachers included Edward Royce, Burrill Phillips, Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson.Throughout his career, Weed was involved in music education. He was Supervisor of Instrumental Music for Iona Michigan Public Schools from 1934-1936 and for Three Rivers Michigan Public Schools from 1937-1943. From 1946-1951 he also taught at Ripon College in Wisconsin. He then joined the staff at Eastman School of Music as a freshman theory teaching fellow. From 1954-1974, Weed served as Head of the Department of Music and Professor at Northern Illinois University. He then taught at Western Carolina University from 1974 until his retirement in 1975.
In addition to his involvement in music education, Weed has enjoyed a prolific career as a composer. He has written over 65 compositions for a variety of ensembles and solo instruments. His works have been performed at the Eastman School of Music, Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall in Washington, DC as well as at numerous other locations. Weed's composition awards include the National Symphony Orchestra's 25th anniversary award, 1956, first prize in the MacDowell fellowship competition, 1961, the J. Fisher & Bro. Centennial award, 1964 and the Pedro Paz award, 1966.
Weed currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina.
Sources:
Correspondence with the composer.
Who's Who in America, 50th edition, 1996.
Anderson, Ruth E. Contemporary American Composers: A Biographical Dictionary. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1976.
![[See an example]](weedsc.jpg){kind=link}
