Marie Douglas, a recent graduate from the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis, recently sat down with Dr. Albert Nguyen, director of bands, on the College of Communication and Fine Arts “Central to the Arts” Hour on WYXR-FM to discuss her musical journey, her graduation, and what’s next on her upward trajectory in the music business.
Douglas earned her doctor of musical arts in composition and conducting from the University of Memphis in May 2024. An Atlanta-bred composer, Douglas mixes and layers genres and textures as a means to inject unprecedented relate-ability and excitement into pieces intended for concert stages. This year alone, her works included world premieres with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble and the United States Navy Band in Washington D.C. for “SOUL Suite No. 1”, a new piece for wind ensemble. Last year, Douglas received a GRAMMY nomination for her work as an arranger on musician Sean Ardoin’s album Full Circle. The Zydeco-based album features a historical collaboration with Louisiana State University’s marching band.
Marie Douglas’s journey is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. As she embarks on this new chapter, there’s no doubt that she will continue to make waves in the music industry. The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music is proud to have been a part of her journey and looks forward to seeing all that she will achieve.
Stay tuned for more updates on Marie’s exciting career and other inspiring stories from our talented alumni.
Marie Douglas
Atlanta bred composer Marie A. Douglas mixes and layers genres and textures as a means to inject unprecedented relate-ability and excitement into pieces intended for concert stages. Her compositional choices portray her varied experiences creating a product that is highly artistic, gorgeous yet gritty, robust with innovation and familiarity. Marie’s compositions and arrangements have been performed throughout the United States and Canada, she as been noted for the memorable melodies, multi faceted rhythms, compelling textures, and the complimentary orchestrations present within her works.
Marie got her start in the artistic and culturally rich streets in the inner city of Atlanta. Her style reflects that relationship and proximity to “The Culture” and the unique perspective that it affords her. After high school she attended the Historically Black institution Florida A&M University and participated in the famed Marching “100” band. This period further inspired Marie to infuse attributes of her favorite musical genres and cultural staples into her creations intended for concert ensembles.
Douglas’ compositions have included spirituals, body percussion, spoken word, electronic samples and tons of other elements of sound often comprising the sonic phenomena of the African Diaspora in conjunction with winds and or strings and percussion. Lately she has explored the fusion of Hip-Hop and its sub-genre “Trap Music”, a genre that has its roots in Atlanta, with western art music idioms.
A variety of well-known ensembles have worked with Marie and performed her music; The Albany Symphony-Dogs of Desire, University of Central Florida Symphonic Band, University of Alabama-Birmingham Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, California All-State Wind Symphony, University of the Pacific Conservatory, and many others. In addition to symphonic and chamber works, her catalogue also includes music for film as well as hip-hop and r&b instrumentals.
Recent projects include: serving as arranger, composer, conductor and musical director of the Live Nation/Big Femme Energy Live Experience tour featuring Ambre, Baby Rose, SayGrace and Teyana Taylor; premieres for her new flute concerto in collaboration with conductor, Erin Bodnar and flautist Sarah Jane Young which was selected to be included on a compilation CD released by the University of North Florida Wind Symphony in 2022, her work for symphonic band centering teen mental health entitled I am Enough was premiered by the California All – State Wind Ensemble in Fresno, California. Additionally, Marie completed the 2023 Jemison Visiting Scholar in the Humanities and Composer in Residence at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and arranged on 2022 Grammy Award-Nominated album “Full Circle”.
Among the upcoming performances of her works for the 23’-24′ season are world premieres with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble and the United States Navy Band in Washington D.C. for “SOUL Suite No. 1”, a new piece for wind ensemble as well as a collaboration with the United States Army Soldiers’ Chorus of Washington, DC on a work tilted “Umoja in America”.
Marie serves as an adjunct professor within the Master of Music Technology Program at Southern Utah University where she was awarded the 2022 Influencer Award by the Division of Student Affairs and Professional Development Center. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in composition and conducting from the University of Memphis, where she studied with Kamran Ince, Mahir Cetiz, and Albert Nguyen.