Stokes, Eric

Composer Eric Stokes (1930-1999)was born just outside of Philadelphia in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Stokes was involved in music from a young age and continued his studies at Lawrence College in Wisconsin, graduating in 1952. He attained his Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory in 1956 following two years in the Army. Several years later Stokes began his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota. He ended up staying and teaching at the University of Minnesota for the next 29 years, retiring in 1988.

It was during Eric Stokes' time at the U of M that he was most prolific as a composer. Stokes composed more than eighty works including operas, chamber music, orchestral and choral works. His company, Horspfal Music Concern drew its name from the first opera he wrote, Horspfal. Stokes' music was eclectic in style, but frequently drew on nature and poetry for inspiration.