Bond University Goldcoast

Born in Chicago in 1913, Margaret Bonds was a dynamic woman with an active interest in social, political, and cultural events of her time. She had a strong sense of her heritage and a clear visiion of her own role as an intermediary composer. Inheriting a legacy of race consciousness and activism from her father, Bonds worked tirelessly to awaken public awareness to the rich musical heritage of her culture and chose to cultivate it in her compositions.

Margaret Bonds' Early Years

Bonds began studying piano at the age of five. This same year, she composed her first piano peice, "The Marquette Road Blues." While still in high school, she became a charter member of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Junior Music Association. She studied piano and composition with Florence Price and William Dawson until she entered Northwestern University in 1929, at the age of 16. At Northwestern, she studied piano with Emily Bogue and composition with Arnie Oldburg and Carl Beecher.

Before Bonds completed her undergraduate degree, she was already winning honors, such as the Rodman Wanamaker competition, that would have gratified many older musicians. In 1932, Bonds received a Rosenwald Fellowship which enabled her to complete her master's degree at Northwestern. That same year, she became the first African-American soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, performing John Carpenter's Concertino.