Hoover, Katherine (1937—)

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Hoover, Katherine (1937—)

American composer, flautist, and lecturer who originated the Women's Music Festivals. Born in Elkins, West Virginia, on December 2, 1937; Manhattan School of Music, M.A.

Born in Elkins, West Virginia, in 1937, Katherine Hoover studied flute at the Eastman School of Music under Joseph Mariano and then earned a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music. After additional training in flute with William Kincaid in Philadelphia, she had an active concert career with leading orchestras. Hoover also appeared frequently on television and received a National Endowment composer's grant and an ASCAP award. The Kennedy Center Friedheim Contest named her work Trio as one of the ten outstanding compositions of 1978–79. Katherine Hoover taught theory and flute at the Manhattan School of Music. An important figure in the musical world, both as a composer and activist, she originated the concept of a women's musical festival which featured works that had often been over-looked in past centuries as well as in the present. Hoover composed many pieces for orchestra, chamber orchestra, piano, and voice as well as sacred music.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia