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Quiz about American Composer Howard Hanson

American Composer Howard Hanson Quiz

Howard Hanson is one of my favorite American composers. Let's see how much you know about him.

A multiple-choice quiz by bmrsnr. Estimated time: 5 mins.

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Author
bmrsnr

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
174,971

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
216

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In which U.S. state was Howard Hanson born? Hint

Tennessee

Georgia

Nebraska

New York

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Question 2 of 10

2. Howard Hanson's first full-time teaching post was at what west coast institution? Hint

Fullerton Community College

University of Southern California

College of the Pacific (Now University of the Pacific)

Stanford University

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Question 3 of 10

3. Hanson's Opera "Merry Mount" was credited as the first American Opera.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. Howard Hanson's 2nd Symphony is possibly his most played and most loved work. What did Hanson affectionately name this symphony? Hint

Nordic

Romantic

Classical

Sacra Sinfonia

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Question 5 of 10

5. Hanson's "Song of Democracy" was premiered at a concert celebrating whose presidential inauguration? Hint

Harry Truman

Richard Nixon

John F. Kennedy

Lyndon B. Johnson

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Question 6 of 10

6. Hanson's "Song of Democracy" was set to a poem by which famous poet? Hint

Walt Whitman

Emily Dickenson

Robert Frost

Ogden Nash

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Question 7 of 10

7. Hanson was awarded a Pulitzer Pize in 1944. For which of the following works was he given the award? Hint

Hymn of the Pioneers

Serenade for Flute Harp and Strings

Symphony No. 4

Chorale and Alleluia

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Question 8 of 10

8. In 1960, Hanson published his first book titled, "Harmonic Materials of Modern Music: Resources of the Tempered Scale." What was the primary focus of this book? Hint

A guide to tuning equal tempered instruments

Composition using neo-romantic styles

Composition using 12-tone serialism

Composition using pitch class set theory

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Question 9 of 10

9. Howard Hanson led a distinguished career as the Director of which prestigious music school? Hint

The Julliard School of Music

The Curtis Conservatory of Music

The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

The Eastman School of Music

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Question 10 of 10

10. Hanson lived a full and long life. He died in 1981 in which U.S. State? Hint

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In which U.S. state was Howard Hanson born?

Answer: Nebraska

Hanson was born in 1896 in the small Nebraska town of Wahoo.

2. Howard Hanson's first full-time teaching post was at what west coast institution?

Answer: College of the Pacific (Now University of the Pacific)

In 1916 at just 20 years of age, Hanson was appointed the Music Theory and Composition teacher at the College of the Pacific. Only 3 years later, he would become the dean of the Conservatory of Fine Arts.

3. Hanson's Opera "Merry Mount" was credited as the first American Opera.

Answer: True

This was the first opera to be written by an American composer, set to text by an American librettist, and premiered by a predominately American cast.

4. Howard Hanson's 2nd Symphony is possibly his most played and most loved work. What did Hanson affectionately name this symphony?

Answer: Romantic

At a time when the music world was basking in atonality, Hanson chose to employ many of the harmonies found in 19th century "romantic" Europe.

5. Hanson's "Song of Democracy" was premiered at a concert celebrating whose presidential inauguration?

Answer: Richard Nixon

This was the first inauguration concert to exclusively feature music by American composers.

6. Hanson's "Song of Democracy" was set to a poem by which famous poet?

Answer: Walt Whitman

Written for full Orchestra and mixed chorus, this work is still a standard in the choral repertoire.

7. Hanson was awarded a Pulitzer Pize in 1944. For which of the following works was he given the award?

Answer: Symphony No. 4

His 4th Symphony is scarcely performed today.

8. In 1960, Hanson published his first book titled, "Harmonic Materials of Modern Music: Resources of the Tempered Scale." What was the primary focus of this book?

Answer: Composition using pitch class set theory

This book really laid the foundation for pitch class set theory and was and is a useful tool to the composer and the theorist.

9. Howard Hanson led a distinguished career as the Director of which prestigious music school?

Answer: The Eastman School of Music

Hanson held that post from 1924 to 1964.

10. Hanson lived a full and long life. He died in 1981 in which U.S. State?

Answer: New York

Hanson died in Rochester, New York, leaving behind a legacy as one of America's most beloved composers, music educators and conductors.

Source: Author bmrsnr

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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