Zenobia Powell Perry* -- 1998 Outstanding Alumna

Master of Arts - 1954 - Music Composition

   Zenobia Powell Perry is a celebrated American composer and academic. A courageous pioneer among women educators and composers, she succeeded despite disadvantages of racism and sexism. After graduating from the Tuskegee Institute, she earned master’s degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (1945) and the University of Wyoming. While at UW from 1952 to 1954, she studied composition with the famous French master Darius Milhaud. For 36 years, she passed on her zeal for music to students at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical, and Normal College in Wilberforce, Ohio, (1946-55) and at Central State University (1955-1982). Her compositions include a musical drama and other large-scale works for orchestra, chorus and soloists; instrumental chamber works; piano and organ solos; choral works and cantatas; and many art songs and arrangements of spirituals.

*In loving memory.