American composer and flutist
Works for Brass ensemble
- Fanfare for Uncommon Times (2021) for brass ensemble
Biography
Valerie Coleman is an American composer and flutist as well as a founding member of the Imani Winds. Coleman is a distinguished artist of the century who was named Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the year and was listed as “one of the Top 35 Women Composers” in the Washington Post. In the year 2019, Valerie Coleman composed a piece titled Umoja, Anthem for Unity which was performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. This achievement was a very special one because it was the first time that a living African-American woman composer was commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Coleman is known for her many contributions to wind chamber music and with Imani Winds, she released a number of studio albums with the group, one of which was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album in 2005.[1]
A graduate of Mannes College of Music and taught by musicians such as Julius Baker, her compositions frequently incorporate diverse styles such as jazz with classical music and many times incorporate political or social themes. Her piece Umoja in 2002 was listed as one of the “Top 101 Great American Works” by Chamber Music America.[2] She is an alumna of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center CMS Two Fellowship program, laureate of Concert Artists Guild competition.
Valerie is a highly sought-after recitalist and clinician with a reputation of transformative skill and has conducted masterclasses and performances at top institutions.