35 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine ARTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT rhymes for children his age. As time progressed, he attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago as a young adult, receiving a BMus in 1982. Subsequently, he enrolled in Northwestern University and earned an MMus and a DMus in 1983 and 1990, respectively. Following his receipt of his bachelor’s degree, Dr. First was an instructor at the American Conservatory of Music from 1982 to 1984. Following this appointment and after earning his doctorate in music, he served his alma mater, Northwestern University, as a lecturer between 1990 and 1995. Thereafter, he excelled at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as an associate professor and coordinator of theory and composition from 1995 until his professional retirement in 2017. Outside of his academic endeavors, Dr. First is a composer in the Psychedelic Ensemble and previously served as the artistic director of the Chicago 21st Century Music Ensemble in 1992. A globally renowned composer of musical works, he has written and performed a number of musical works, including an opera. Some works to his credit have included “Contrapuntal Variations” in 1999, “Tantrum” for the mandolin in 1992, “Black Sun” for violin and piano in 1990, and “Intimate Voices” for a piano trio in 1986. Likewise, he has been commissioned for various mosaics, string quartets and large ensembles. His works have been published through MMB Music in Austria. To attest to his success, Dr. First has received numerous accolades. The recipient of the 1989 League Composers Award, he also earned the 1990 American Society of Composers Award and 1990 National Association of Composers USA Award, as well as the 1995 American Society of Composers Stand Award. Later in his career, he earned the 1998 Astral Composition Award and 1998 and 2000 World Music Days Awards. An accomplished composer, performer and educator, Dr. Craig P. First has accrued nearly 40 years of experience in music composition since the inception of his professional career. As a child, he learned how to play the piano beginning at 6 years old, but enjoyed creating his own music rather than reciting typical nursery DR. CRAIG P. FIRST COMPOSER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (RETIRED) University of Alabama Harrisburg, PA
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