September 13, 1917:
Robert Eugene Ward is born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, last of five children born to Albert E. Ward, owner of a moving and storage company, and Carrie Mollenkopf.
May 10, 1941:
Symphony no.1 by Robert Ward (23) is performed for the first time, in New York, directed by the composer.
July 6, 1941:
The Berkshire Music Center opens at Tanglewood for a second season. Paul Hindemith (45) and Aaron Copland (40) are again the resident composers. Students include Norman Dello Joio (28), Ulysses Kay (24), Robert Ward (23), and Lukas Foss (18).
June 19, 1944:
Robert Ward (26) marries Mary Raymond Benedict, a Red Cross recreation worker, in Hawaii.
May 20, 1946:
Jubilation, an overture for orchestra by Robert Ward (28), is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
May 11, 1947:
Of Ancient Guilt for piano and dancer by Robert Ward (29) is performed for the first time, in New York. See 15 July 1947.
May 13, 1947:
The New York Times reports that William Schuman (36), President of the Juilliard School of Music, is introducing a completely revamped, comprehensive approach to music theory. It also announces the appointment to the faculty of several distinguished musicians including Robert Ward (29) and Peter Mennin (23).
July 15, 1947:
Lamentation for piano by Robert Ward (29) is performed for the first time, at the Juilliard School, New York. This is the solo piano version of Of Ancient Guilt. See 11 May 1947.
January 25, 1948:
Symphony no.2 by Robert Ward (30) is performed for the first time, in Constitution Hall, Washington.
December 22, 1948:
Concert Music for orchestra by Robert Ward (31) is performed for the first time, in Strong Vincent Auditorium, Erie, Pennsylvania.
April 10, 1949:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for John Cage (36), Samuel Barber (39), Peter Mennin (25), Leon Kirchner (30), and Robert Ward (31).
May 29, 1949:
Night Music for orchestra by Robert Ward (31) is performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
February 4, 1950:
Jonathon and the Gingery Snare for narrator and orchestra by Robert Ward (32) with words by Stambler is performed for the first time, in Carnegie Hall, New York.
March 31, 1950:
Symphony no.3 by Robert Ward (32) is performed for the first time, at Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, conducted by the composer.
April 16, 1950:
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships are announced, including ones for Robert Ward (32), Elliott Carter (41), Irving Fine (35), and Harry Partch (48).
June 11, 1950:
Sonata for violin and piano no.1 by Robert Ward (32) is performed for the first time, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
February 13, 1951:
Two Pieces for the piano by Robert Ward (33) are performed for the first time, at the Peabody Institute, Baltimore. Also premiered is Ward’s Scherzo for piano.
April 26, 1951:
Sacred Songs for Pantheists for piano and orchestra by Robert Ward (33) to words of Hopkins, Stephens, and Dickinson is performed for the first time, in Quincy, Illinois.
January 10, 1955:
Aria and Tarantelle for cello and piano by Robert Ward (37) is performed for the first time, in the Textile Museum, Washington.
May 17, 1956:
Pantaloon, an opera by Robert Ward (38) to words of Stambler after Andreyev, is performed for the first time, in the Juilliard Concert Hall, New York. It will be renamed He Who Gets Slapped.
April 14, 1957:
When Christ Rode into Jerusalem for soprano, chorus, and organ by Robert Ward (39) to his own words after the Bible is performed for the first time, in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Yonkers.
October 30, 1957:
Incidental music for Settings for Whitman for speaker and piano by Ned Rorem (34) is performed for the first time, in Town Hall, New York. Also premiered is Robert Ward’s (40) Three Pieces for Narrator and Piano Based on Poems from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats to words of Eliot.
June 26, 1958:
Prairie Overture for band by Robert Ward (40) is performed for the first time, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
August 3, 1958:
Symphony no.4 by Robert Ward (40) is performed for the first time, in La Jolla High School, California.
November 20, 1960:
Earth Shall be Fair, a cantata for chorus and orchestra by Robert Ward (43) to words of C. Bax and the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Des Moines, Iowa.
April 22, 1961:
Divertimento for orchestra by Robert Ward (43) is performed for the first time, in Portland, Oregon.
October 26, 1961:
The Crucible, an opera by Robert Ward (44) to words of Stambler after Miller, is performed for the first time, in New York. The press is positive. This work will win Ward the Pulitzer Prize.
March 27, 1962:
Hymn and Celebration for orchestra by Robert Ward (44) is performed for the first time, in Phoenix, Arizona.
May 7, 1962:
Robert Ward (44) wins the Pulitzer Prize in Music for The Crucible. See 26 October 1961.
June 20, 1962:
Night Fantasy for band by Robert Ward (44) is performed for the first time, in Central Park, New York.
November 19, 1963:
Music for a Celebration for orchestra by Robert Ward (46) is performed for the first time, in Erie, Pennsylvania.
July 3, 1964:
The Lady From Colorado, an opera by Robert Ward (46) to words of Stambler after Croy, is performed for the first time, in Central City, Colorado.
March 15, 1965:
Let the Word Go Forth for chorus, brass, strings, and harp by Robert Ward (47) to words of Kennedy is performed for the first time, in the Hunter College Playhouse, New York.
December 4, 1965:
Sweet Freedom’s Song: A New England Chronicle, a cantata for narrator, vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Robert Ward (48) to various authors, is performed for the first time, in Cary Hall, Lexington, Massachusetts.
April 30, 1966:
String Quartet no.1 by Robert Ward (48) is performed for the first time, in Cadek Conservatory Concert Hall of the University of Alabama.
October 3, 1966:
Festive Ode for orchestra by Robert Ward (49) is performed for the first time, in Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee.
January 9, 1967:
Hymn to the Night for orchestra by Robert Ward (49) is performed for the first time, in Mobile Municipal Theatre, Alabama.
April 30, 1967:
Antiphony for Winds by Robert Ward (49) is performed for the first time, in Interlochen, Michigan.
May 17, 1967:
Two works for band are performed for the first time, in Ford Auditorium of Ithaca College, New York: Chorale Prelude: Turn Not Thy Face op.105 by Vincent Persichetti (51), and Fiesta Processional by Robert Ward (49).
June 23, 1968:
A Piano Concerto by Robert Ward (50) is performed for the first time, in Columbia, Maryland.
October 18, 1970:
Music for a Great Occasion for band by Robert Ward (53) is performed for the first time, at Duke University.
March 11, 1975:
The Promised Land for organ or orchestra by Robert Ward (57) is performed for the first time, in Nashville.
May 1, 1976:
Symphony no.5 “Canticles of America” for narrator, vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Robert Ward (58) to words of Whitman and Longfellow is performed for the first time, in Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
May 13, 1977:
Four Abstractions for Band by Robert Ward (59) is performed for the first time, in Dayton, Ohio.
April 14, 1978:
Claudia Legare, an opera by Robert Ward (60) to words of Stambler after Ibsen, is performed for the first time, in Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis.
June 18, 1980:
Celebrations of God in Nature for organ by Robert Ward (61) is performed for the first time, in the Cathedral of St. Paul, Minnesota.
September 25, 1980:
Sonic Structure for orchestra by Robert Ward (62) is performed for the first time, in Andrew Jackson Concert Hall, Nashville.
June 4, 1982:
Minutes Till Midnight, an opera by Robert Ward (64) to words of Lang and the composer, is performed for the first time, in Dade County Auditorium, Miami.
April 5, 1983:
Dialogues for violin, cello, and orchestra by Robert Ward (65) is performed for the first time, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
February 15, 1984:
Concerto for saxophone and orchestra by Robert Ward (66) is performed for the first time, in Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
January 19, 1986:
Raleigh Divertimento for wind quintet by Robert Ward (68) is performed for the first time, in Steward Theatre of North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
May 26, 1987:
Dialogue on the Tides of Time, for violin, cello, and orchestra by Robert Ward (69) is performed for the first time, in Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina the composer conducting.
June 9, 1993:
Roman Fever, an opera by Robert Ward (75) to words of Brunyate after Wharton, is performed for the first time, in Durham, North Carolina.
August 2, 1997:
Night under the Big Sky for woodwind quintet and piano by Robert Ward (79) is performed for the first time, in Denver.
September 14, 1997:
Echoes of America for clarinet, cello, and piano by Robert Ward (80), is performed for the first time, in Raleigh, North Carolina.
July 6, 2005:
A Friend of Napoleon, an opera by Robert Ward (87) to words of Stuart, is performed for the first time, in Wooster, Ohio.
April 3, 2013:
Robert Eugene Ward dies at his home in Durham, North Carolina, USA, aged 95 years, six months, and 21 days.