Composers

Irene Britton Smith

1907 - 1999

About

Irene Britton Smith (1907- 1999), native of Chicago, Illinois, spent nearly fifty years as a teacher in Chicago’s public primary schools. While teaching, Smith attained a degree in composition from the American Conservatory of Music. She was granted a sabbatical to continue her studies at The Juilliard School. She subsequently earned her master’s degree from DePaul University. Smith did not see her compositions as an expression of her race, with the exception of her few spiritual arrangements and Dream Cycle, setting the texts of Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Related Information

Works by Irene Britton Smith

Title Collection Voice Type Range Poet
By the Pool Dream Cycle Medium High E4 - F5 Paul Laurence Dunbar
Over the Hills Medium High Db4 - F5 Paul Laurence Dunbar
Sunset Dream Cycle Medium High E4 - G5 Paul Laurence Dunbar
Trees of the Night Medium High F#4 - G5
Why Fades a Dream Dream Cycle Medium High Bb3 - G5 Paul Laurence Dunbar
Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
Sinfonietta No Full Orchestra Professional
Composer Title Work Instrumentation Level Number of Movements Accompanied Size Duration Range
Irene Britton Smith Variations on a Theme by McDowell Op. #1 Piano 14 No Solo
Irene Britton Smith Violin Sonata Piano, Violin 3 Yes Solo