Composers

John Wesley Work, III

1901 - 1967

About

John Wesley Work, III (1901-1967) was educated at Fisk University and received his Masters degree from Columbia University.  He also attended Yale University. Work taught at Fisk from 1926-1966, as theory professor, chairman of the Fisk University Department of Music, composer and Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.  He composed “Mandy Lou” while in high school and received a prize from the Fellowship of American Composers in 1946 for “The Singers”, originally scored for chorus, baritone and orchestra. His compositions numbering over 100, included “Soliloquy”, and collections of 221 religious and secular songs.

Related Information

Biographies of Black Composers and Songwriters; Ellistine Perkins Holly, Compiler. Wm Brown Publishers, 1990.

Works by John Wesley Work, III

Title Collection Voice Type Range Poet
A Mona Lisa Voice C#4- G5 A. Grimke
Breathe on Me Breath of God (Sacred Song For Low Voice) Voice C4 - E5 Edwin Hatch
Credo Mezzo-Soprano Bb3 - G5
Dancing in the Sun Voice G4 - G5 Howard Weedun
Dusk At Sea Voice Eb4 - A5 Thomas S. Jones
Soliloquy Voice D4 - A5 Myrtle Vorst Sheppard
Title Published Size Solo with Ensemble Duration Range Level Orchestration
Yenvalou No Full Orchestra Professional
Composer Title Work Instrumentation Level Number of Movements Accompanied Size Duration Range
John Wesley Work, III A Little More Faith in Jesus Organ 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III At a Certain Church Piano 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Big Bunch of Roses Piano 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Fishers Hornpipe Piano 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III From the Deep South Organ 4 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Ring Game Piano 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Sassafras Piano 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Take Me Back Piano Advanced 1 No Solo
John Wesley Work, III Visitor from Town Piano 1 No Solo