Harrell C. Lucky
American Composer & Conductor
Biography
Harrell Lucky’s musical roots extend deeply into the simple soils of the American Southland – the evangelistic reawakening of the camp-meeting/revival/gospel phenomena of the 40’s and 50’s, the liberal thought and liturgical depths of the American Reformed movement – and the moving integrity and experience of music in Christian worship. Even now, shining through the influence of so many other musical styles and dialects which have contributed to Dr. Lucky’s musical language – from Gregorian Chant and English Cathedral music to American Jazz – one can sense that inclination toward the direct communication of ideas, firmly rooted in thoughtful structures and technique, and enveloped within an emotional response which is honest and logical. All this contributes to a fresh and effective body of new vocal and instrumental compositions which is, at the same time, modern and thoughtfully embracing of a rich heritage of religious thought and experience.
Education
Doctor of Musical Arts, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music, 1977
Studies in German Classical Style, Ancillary studies, Academy of Music, Vienna, Austria, 1967
Master of Music, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music, 1964
Bachelor of Music Education, Southern Nazarene University, 1962
Appointments
Professor of Music, Head of Music Department, Eastfield College, Dallas, Texas, 1974-2011
Artistic Director and Conductor, Irving Chorale, 1997-2003
Artistic Director and Conductor, Preston Hollow Masterworks Chorus, Dallas, Texas, 1978-1984
Director of Music, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, 1976-1984
Director of Music, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, 1975-1976
Associate Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Lecturer in Church Music, Southern Nazarene University, 1965-1974
Other Major Series
“SIGHTSINGING TONAL MUSIC, Realizing Melodic Structures As a Language of Tone Groups”, a textbook for aural theory now in preparation, 2009-Present
“Theological Considerations and Issues Of Context, Cabaret, Church Music Institute, Dallas, Texas, 2011
“Sound Theology” an Adult Study Series, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 2010; a study of common social ethics as expressed in the musical works of major composers and contemporary song writers
“Esthetics in the Contempory Experience of High School Musical Ensembles”, 14-hour seminar for conductors of ensembles, Dallas Independent School District, 2006
“Beethoven as Social Rebel-The Moral Conflicts Implied Within Missa Solemnis” , Seminar, DISD, Dallas, Texas, 2006
“The Jukebox Gospel” an Adult Study Series, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, 2003; a study of contemporary liturgical ideas and theological considerations in popular music, 1985-2005
…speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…
Ephesians 5:19