Julia Amanda Perry was born on March 25, 1924, in Lexington, Kentucky to Dr. Abraham Murphy Perry and America Lois Heath Perry. Julia was the fourth of five daughters in the family. She enjoyed a musical and supportive early childhood. Her father, Dr. Abraham Murphy Perry, worked as a physician and played the piano as an amateur, while her mother, America Lois Heath Perry, worked as a school teacher.
Early Life
Julia grew up in Akron, Ohio, in a family that valued education and the arts. The environment in her household likely fostered her early interest and dedication to music, which paved the way for her later achievements. This nurturing backdrop played a significant role in shaping her future as a composer. From a young age, she engaged with music, studying voice, piano, and violin, and showcasing her musical talents early on.
Education
Perry attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree in 1947. She continued her studies at the Juilliard School of Music and the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Massachusetts.
Early Career and Achievements
Perry’s early compositions were heavily influenced by African-American music. In 1951, she composed “Free at Last” and “I’m a Poor Li’l Orphan,” which showcased her incorporation of black spiritual music. She won her first Guggenheim Fellowship in 1954 and studied under Nadia Boulanger in Paris, where she received the Boulanger Grand Prix for her Viola Sonata.
European Studies and Recognition
From 1955 to 1957, Perry received two Guggenheim Fellowships to study in Florence, Italy, with composer Luigi Dallapiccola. Her compositions gained international recognition, and she became the first African American woman to have her orchestral work performed by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in London.
Later Career and Contributions
Perry returned to the United States and continued her work in composition. In 1964, her three-act opera-ballet “The Selfish Giant” won an American Academy of Arts and Letters Prize in music. She took up teaching at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College (Florida A&M) in Tallahassee in 1967 and was also a visiting artist at Atlanta College. Julia Amanda Perry never married – she dedicated her life to her music and teaching career.
Final Years and Legacy
Perry suffered a stroke around 1970, which severely impacted her career. Despite her health challenges, she continued composing until her death on April 24, 1979. Her work includes symphonies, operas, and chamber music, and she remains a significant figure in American classical music. For more information about Julia Amanda Perry, click here.