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Composer of the Month - July, 2004

Moses Hogan, 1957 - 2003
Updated by Daryl Lee

For the Spring Concert of 2002, the Michael O'Neal Singers broke new ground by inviting a special guest conductor to lead the chorus in a program of African-American spirituals.  For this special event, there could be only one choice—Moses Hogan, the premiere composer, arranger, and conductor of this uniquely American genre of choral music. The timing was remarkable, because within a few months of the performance he suffered a stroke and, after a protracted illness, "crossed over Jordan" on February 11, 2003.

Hogan, born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 13, 1957, was a pianist, conductor and arranger of international renown. A graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio, he also studied at New York's Juilliard School of Music and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Mr. Hogan's many accomplishments as a concert pianist included winning first place in the prestigious 28th annual Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition in New York. Hogan was recently appointed Artist In Residence at Loyola University in New Orleans. Hogan began his exploration of the choral music idiom in 1980. Hogan's former New Orleans based Moses Hogan Chorale received international acclaim.

The Moses Hogan Singers made their debut in 1998 on the EMI record label with the acclaimed soprano Barbara Hendricks. Hogan was commissioned to arrange and perform several compositions for the 1995 PBS Documentary, THE AMERICAN PROMISE, whose soundtrack was released separately by Windham Hill records under the title VOICES.

His discography includes a recording of arrangements of spirituals for the acclaimed soprano Barbara Hendricks, sung by the Moses Hogan Singers entitled Give Me Jesus, produced by EMI Virgin Records; An American Heritage of Spirituals, sung by the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir, conducted by Moses Hogan and Albert McNeil; Two recordings of spirituals with renowned countertenor Derek Lee Ragin on Aria Records and on Channel Classic Records; The Moses Hogan Choral Series 2002, features a collection of thirty-nine spirituals and songs of faith, sung by the Moses Hogan Chorale and Moses Hogan Singers, produced and arranged by Moses Hogan on MGH Records; Lift Every Voice For Freedom, a collection of American folk songs, hymns, songs of faith and patriotic songs. Hogan served as editor of the new Oxford Book of Spirituals, an expansive collection of spirituals, published by Oxford University Press.

Hogan's contemporary settings of spirituals, original compositions and other works have been revered by audiences and praised by critics including Gramophone magazine. They have become staples in the repertoires of high school, college, church, community and professional choirs worldwide. Hogan's choral style, high musical standards and unique repertoire have consistently elicited praise from critics worldwide. Hogan was an exclusive arranger and composer for Hal Leonard Music Corporation and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity and ASCAP. Mr. Hogan was in great demand internationally as an arranger, conductor and clinician. Hogan's choral series is published by Hal Leonard Corporation and by Alliance Music.

For further reading on Moses Hogan:
http://www.singers.com/choral/moseshogan.html
http://www.moseshogan.com/about_moses_hogan.htm
http://www.mosingers.com/composers/hogan_bio.html
http://www.npr.org/programs/pt/features/hogan.html
http://www.oberlin.edu/newserv/01jan/moses_hogan_singers.html

Other Links: Songs of Hope & Freedom Concert,  Program Notes.
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