Lift Ev’ry Voice: Black Composers in Choral Music - Phillip McIntyre
As the first installment of our Black History Initiative series, we honor and highlight the life, legacy, and work of the late composer, Phillip McIntyre. The following article is submitted by Prof. Johnny Butler, III, Director of Choral Activities at the University of the District of Columbia.
Phillip Barnett McIntyre, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, was born on February 2, 1951. McIntyre initially attended Virginia Union University as a music major under the tutelage of renowned music educators Undine Smith Moore and Odell Hobbs, before transferring to The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. It was there that he earned the Bachelor of Music Education (1975) and the Master of Music in Organ Performance (1976). Further study was done at the University of the District of Columbia and Westminster Choir College.
A very prominent musician in the Washington Metropolitan area, some of the churches where McIntyre served as organist and choirmaster included the historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, the Church of our Savior, and Lincoln Temple Congregational Church. As a performer, McIntyre presented organ recitals at the Church of the Epiphany, St. John's Episcopal Church at Lafayette Square, the Washington Cathedral, and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, among others.
Mr. McIntyre was employed as a Music teacher at the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), most notably at Woodson Senior High School. In 1987, he was hired as an Adjunct Professor at The University of the District of Columbia, teaching Choral Conducting and serving as the Accompanist for the UDC Chorale under the direction of the late Dr. William Howard Moore.
Notably, McIntyre dedicated the Spiritual ‘The Downward Road is Crowded’ to the late Dr. Moore, who was the first Chairman of the then Music Department. McIntyre was a published composer whose works consisted of Spiritual arrangements for solo voice and piano, sacred choral anthems, a cappella Spirituals, a Requiem, and numerous organ works.
Phillip McIntyre passed away at Washington Hospital Center on March 21, 1991.
