Cedric Adderley
P.O. Box 1493
Columbia, SC 29202
CedricAdderley@aol.com
Cedric Adderley is currently Professor of Music and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. In this capacity, he works in close partnership with the Vice President to manage the Division of Academic Affairs. Prior to this appointment, he served as Chair of the Department of Music where he led the faculty through a period of tremendous growth leading to a successful self-study and initial accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music. He also serves the University as Faculty Development Coordinator where he provides support for faculty to participate in events, workshops, and symposia that enhance faculty engagement in research and scholarship as well as facilitates opportunities for faculty that promote curricular innovations at the University. He enjoys a multi- faceted career as an active composer, arranger, clinician, and teacher and maintains an active schedule of artistic engagements throughout the state, nation, and abroad.

Dr. Adderley’s music is praised for its beauty, imaginative use of color, and for its ability to communicate powerfully with a broad concert-going public without sacrificing complexity, artistic integrity, or technical finesse. His compositions for various musical media include works in virtually every idiom from chamber music to musical theater and include a considerable amount of commissioned works. The educational works in the Adderley catalog are true-to-form and display his exceptional ability of composing quality music for the varied levels of proficiency in young musicians. Several of these compositions have been recorded by the Rutgers University Wind Ensemble on the compact discs Distinguished Music for the Developing Band, volumes 1, 2, & 3. In his mature works, he has harnessed the rhythmic energy of the late twentieth century as well as the lush harmonies and vibrant orchestral colors of late Romanticism. These works have brought him numerous accolades, including being chosen a 1997 winner of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s annual composer search for his Symphony no.1. Other honors include a Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association, a summer Scholar-In-Residence at New York University, and being selected as the South Carolina Composer of the Year (2000) by the Music Teachers National Association.

Ensembles throughout the United States and abroad have performed the music of Cedric Adderley including the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Augusta Symphony, the Rutgers Philharmonia, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, the Moravian Philharmonic, and the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony. As a trumpeter, he has performed with many legendary recording artists including Ray Charles, Olivia Newton-John, and Louie Bellson. He has also toured the southeastern United States with several variety bands including the O’Kaysions (I’m a Girl Watcher) and Shagtime (Mr. Beach).

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Cedric Adderley holds a Bachelor’s degree in music education from East Carolina University and both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition from the University of South Carolina. He has studied composition with Dick Goodwin, Samuel Douglas, Fred Teuber, and Loretta Jankowski. His music is published by Grand Mesa Music Publishers and TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

 

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EDUCATION:    

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA – Columbia, SC
Doctor of Musical Arts, Composition
Master of Music, Composition

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – Greenville, NC
Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Magna Cum Laude

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:         

CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY – Orangeburg, SC
 Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor – 2005 - present
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs/Assoc. Professor/Professor – 2005 - 2007
Chair, Department of Music/Associate Professor – 2000 - 2005
Faculty Development Coordinator – 2003 - present

BENEDICT COLLEGE – Columbia, SC
 Coordinator of Music/Assistant Professor of Music – 1997 - 2000
Director of Athletic Bands/Instructor of Music – 1996 - 1997

NORTH CAROLINA A.&T. STATE UNIVERSITY – Greensboro, NC
 Assistant Director of Bands/Instructor of Music – 1994 - 1996 

SOUTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Jr./Sr. High School Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Elementary Music – 1987 - 1994

WORKS COMMISSIONED:

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS:

COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS:

RESEARCH ARTICLES:

BOOK/VIDEO REVIEWS:

BOOK CHAPTERS:

FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES:

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS:

HONORS AND AWARDS:

 

 Audio Samples
 

 

Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra

Flight! was commissioned by Colonial/UNUM Provident for the South Carolina Philharmonic, Nicholas Smith, conductor. was inspired by the artwork of the humanist/realist artist Tyrone Geter.  It is an energetic, up-tempo fanfare that is structured around two principle themes.  The piece derives much of its melodic and rhythmic interest from the opening trumpet motive.  This motive is developed and transferred throughout the orchestra for much of the first section of the piece.  The middle section employs a number of techniques for thematic development including canon, melodic inversion, augmentation, and diminution.  The final section is a recapitulation of the primary theme and ends with a dramatic climax.

Listen to MP3 file.

Flight! is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Jubilation: A Symphony for Orchestra - The symphony unfolds in the conventional four-movement cycle of the Classical and Romantic periods.  The first movement, subtitled Ritual Celebration, offers a clearly articulated sonata form and exhibits several programmatic elements.  Each of the themes is melodically structured in the style of folk melodies and tunes associated with celebratory rituals of the composer’s youth.  There are two dominant themes in the movement, each with its own distinct programmatic meaning.

The second movement, subtitled Solitary Reaper, is loosely structured around variations on the pitch set a-d-d-c-e-d, the first three letters of the composers last and first names. The set is transformed and continually developed revealing many intricate deviations from the original including many melodic and harmonic contrasts and irregular tempo modifications.

The third movement, subtitled Jewel’s Garden, is based on two thematic elements drawn from a childhood tune. A “scherzo-like” ternary form is employed in which virtually the entire movement is derived from the same melodic or rhythmic material introduced in the first few measures.  The complex rhythmic scheme conveys a feeling of perpetual motion throughout each segment.  This constant driving force symbolizes the lighthearted, carefree nature of children at play.  Although it is the shortest movement, it is the most challenging in many aspects.

The final movement, subtitled Spiritus Mundi, features a lively rondo in which the true spirit of the symphony culminates with an interesting example of melodic counterpoint incorporating thematic material from each of the first three movements. 

Listen to MP3 files

                I - Ritual Celebration
                II - Solitary Reaper
                III - Jewel's Garden
                IV - Spiritus Mundi 

Jubilation: A Symphony for Orchestra is available from the composer.

Were You There? is an adaptation of the Afro-American spiritual of the same name attributed to John and Frederick Work.  This is an amazingly powerful orchestration for chamber orchestra and features solo flute throughout the piece.  The solemn opening presents the melody that permeates the work.  The intensity rises and falls with every climax and returns to a plaintive statement of the verse with solo flute, clarinet, and piano at the end.  In every way, Were You There? certainly captures the essence of a true-to-form Negro spiritual.

Listen to MP3 file.

Were You There? is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Flourish of the Silver Cadets was composed in honor of the student musicians at Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, South Carolina.  It is a lively fanfare full of flare and excitement throughout the piece.  The piece opens with a triumphant brass feature and has many alternating passages of lyrical phrases and characteristic sounds of traditional fanfares.

Listen to MP3 file.

Flourish of the Silver Cadets is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Wind Ensemble and Concert Band

Indigo Run was commissioned by the University of Miami Wind Ensemble and the New Music Consortium under the direction of Gary Green, conductor, and Michael Robinson, consortium director.  It is a musical display of the rich and vibrant hue found in the Carolina low country.  It is an outgrowth of the composer’s thoughts as he was taking his morning run through the Indigo Park community on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  While not a fully programmatic depiction of the scenery, the work attempts to recreate the essence of the landscape in sound.

The composition opens with a dramatic slow introduction followed by a four-part overture.  The fast sections are quick and energetic to contrast with the warm and gentle slow section.  The entire piece features driving rhythms with a generous blend of agile motives and strong chords.  The lyric melodies and lush harmonies are a vivid representation of the beautiful scenery that has made Hilton Head Island one of the most popular resort cities in the United States.

Listen to MP3 file.

Indigo Run is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Adagio and Dance was commissioned by and dedicated to the 1996 Guilford County Middle School Honor Band in Greensboro, North Carolina.  The slow mysterious first section is contrasted with a bright and playful dance section featuring driving rhythmic ostinatos and energetic melodic passages.  The scoring allows for young bands to achieve a full and mature ensemble sound that makes the piece exciting for both listeners and performers.

Listen to MP3 file.

Adagio and Dance is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Lakeside Episode was commissioned by and dedicated to the Chapin Middle School Band under the direction of David Santiago. It is a loosely programmatic work that portrays the stately character and small town elegance of the town of Chapin, South Carolina.  This concert overture features lively rhythms and strong thematic material throughout the work.  The middle section is scored as a chorale with sensitive lyrical passages that convey the true spirit of the town’s lakeside setting.

Listen to MP3 file.

Lakeside Episode is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Longtown Legacy was commissioned by the Blythewood Middle School Band under the direction of Brad Layton.  It was composed in honor of Mrs. Jo Hecker, retired principal of Bethel-Hanberry Elementary, Summit Parkway Middle, and Blythewood Middle Schools.  This overture has spirit and drive right from the opening fanfare.  The rhythmic writing propels the work forward while the scoring explores many rich sonorities and textures.  An expressive three-four section includes several exchanges of solo passages for first seat players to really shine.  The colorful orchestration pays careful attention to all sections of the ensemble will surely show off the talents of a young band. 

Listen to MP3 file.

Longtown Legacy is available from Grand Mesa Music Publishers.

Palmetto Fantasy was commissioned by and dedicated to the 1996 Richland School District One Middle School Honor Band in Columbia, South Carolina under the baton of the composer.  This showpiece features the harmonic coloring and authentic rhythms of the many musical styles heard throughout South Carolina, the “Palmetto State.”  The sparkle and energy of the piece allows for all sections of the band to shine including many exciting and interesting percussion parts.  From the Piedmont to the Midlands, the beaches, and low country, Palmetto Fantasy truly depicts the spirit and imagery of the state.

Listen to MP3 file.

Palmetto Fantasy is available from TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

Solo Instruments and Piano

Impromptu for tuba and piano explores a variety of musical moods ranging from dark and ominous to joyful and exuberant.  It is a wonderful display of melodic inventiveness and rhythmic interest utilizing creative exchanges between tuba and piano throughout the composition.  After a mysterious introduction, a brisk allegro section provides an unrelenting presentation of energy and vitality that characterizes much of the piece.  Syncopated rhythms and modern lyricism allow the both performers opportunities to display technical skills and provides a true balance and partnership between the parts.  An extended cadenza provides a dramatic coda to a genuinely bold and exciting work.

Listen to MP3 file.

Impromptu is available from the composer.

Solo Voice

Three Dreams is a song cycle set to the texts of poetry by Langston Hughes.  Dreams, the first song in the cycle, is slow and introspective.  The second song, Dream Dust, combines the texts of two poems, Dream Dust and Dream Weaver.  The third song in the cycle, I Dream a World, set to the text of the poem of the same name has been set by a number of composers.

Listen to MP3 file.

Three Dreams is available from the composer.

 

 

 

Publishers

 

 

 

Adderley Music

P.O. Box 1493

Columbia, SC 29202

CedricAdderley@aol.com

 

 

Grand Mesa Music Publishers

P.O. Box 2356

Grand Junction, CO 81502

www.grandmesamusic.com

 

 

TRN Music Publisher, Inc.

P.O. Box 197

Alto, NM 88312

www.trnmusic.com

 

 

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