birth_place article_title birth_date image employer name
the bronx julius penson williams
 22 june 1954 julius1.jpeg berklee college of music julius penson williams
julius penson williams

julius penson williams born june 22 , 1954 in the bronx , new york , is an african-american composer , conductor , and college professor .
an author of both instrumental and vocal music , julius williams has composed operas , symphonies , and chorus works for stage , concert hall , film , and television .
primarily a classically trained musician , williams has shown his aptitude in writing in genres including gospel , jazz , and other contemporary forms .
williams was educated in the new york public school system and graduated in 1972 from andrew jackson high school a performing arts school in queens , new york .
williams attended herbert lehman college and hartt school of music where he received his , b.s. and m.m.e. respectively .
he was bestowed an honorary doctorate from keene state college in new hampshire .
while in colorado , williams studied orchestral conducting and composition at the aspen music school in 1984 .
williams has over 33 guest conducting experiences , over 11 artist-in-residencies , visiting fellowships , and teaching positions .
moreover williams has , also , received awards for musical excellence and contributions from classical to african american folk music .
he has studied , performed and taught , extensively , abroad from russia to china .
countless groups , choirs , and ensembles have performed and honored him for his musical inventions .
williams has written articles , edited an anthology , and submitted writings to journals on the music of african americans .
currently , williams is a full-time professor at the berklee college of music in boston , ma since fall 1998 .
he teaches composition , conducting , theory , and also runs the berklee international composers institute .
he is also the conductor of the great american songbook orchestra .
people who williams have credited as having influenced his music are ulysses kay , coleridge-taylor perkinson , charles bell and john corigliano .
