Adams, Leslie, 1932-

H. Leslie Adams, Jr. (b. December 30, 1932) is an important African American composer, teacher and conductor. Born in Cleveland, Ohio to Harrison L. Adams, Sr. and Jessie Adams, Leslie received his early musical training in Cleveland from Dorothy Smith and Mina Eichenbaum. Adams attended Oberlin College (1951-55) to pursue a degree in Music Education. There he studied composition under Herbert Elwell and Joseph Wood. After completing his degree, Adams traveled to New York City to work as a composer, teacher and accompanist (1957-63). He received a Masters in Music from California State University at Long Beach (1965-1967). After completing the degree, Adams became a professor in Florida before beginning his Doctoral Degree from Ohio State University (1969-1971). Even before Adams completed his degree at Ohio State, he became an Associate Professor of Music and Director of the University Concert Choir at the University of Kansas (1970-1979). There he taught courses in music education.

After teaching several years at the University of Kansas, Adams went on sabbatical to focus on his compositions and did not return to the University, but rather became a free-lance composer. Adams moved back to Cleveland to compose after spending a residency at the Rockefeller Foundation's Study and Conference Center in Bellagio, Italy. During his career as a composer, several orchestras and ensembles commissioned Adams to compose pieces, including the Cleveland Orchestra for which he wrote, Western Adventure. Along with spending time composing, Adams became an important contributor to the Cleveland public schools by participating in programs to promote the arts.

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