Julia Smith

Full biography Julia Smith

Composer Julia Frances Smith was an American musician, pianist, author on musicology, and advocate for women in music. She was born on January 25, 1905, in Denton, Texas, and passed away on April 18, 1989. She had a long and successful career spanning most of the 20th century, during which she composed a vast body of work, wrote extensively on music, and advocated for the recognition of women in the field.

In addition to her work as a composer, Julia Smith was a talented pianist and concert performer. She trained at North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas), where she earned her bachelor's degree in music in 1928. She later obtained a master's degree in musicology from Columbia University in 1931.

Over the course of her career, Julia Smith wrote several operas, chamber music pieces, and solo works for piano. Her composition "Glory," inspired by the life and work of legendary American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, is one of her most well-known pieces. She was also an accomplished author, with several publications to her name, including "Music in Our Lives" and "The Lonesome Road: The Story of the Negro's Part in America."

Julia Smith was an advocate for women in music, and she fought tirelessly to ensure that women composers, performers, and scholars received the recognition they deserved. In 1970, she was one of five women composers honored by the National Council of Women of the United States.

Overall, Julia Smith was a trailblazing composer, pianist, and musicologist who left an indelible mark on the world of music. Her contributions to the field continue to inspire and influence musicians and scholars to this day.