top of page

NORA HOLT

NOVEMBER 13, 1898 - JUNE 16, 1981

Nora Holt was a writer, pianist/singer, composer, socialite, and noted music critic through the 1920s-1960s. Born in Kansas City, Kansas, she moved to Chicago after having graduated as valedictorian of her class at Western University in Quindaro, Kansas (around 1915). She was the first African American woman to earn a Master of Music (Chicago Musical College, 1918). She was a co-founder of the National Association of Negro Musicians (1919) and became the music critic for the Chicago Defender (1917-1921). She left the paper after marrying and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia, reportedly often performing as a cabaret singer. She also composed during that time. She is thought to have written more than 200 compositions, but most were lost when her stored possessions were looted and scattered during her travels. She returned to New York City and became the classical music critic for the New York Amsterdam News (1943-1964).

Ms. Holt was an important observer of the Black classical concert scene. She reported on events and issues that would have been completely erased from the narrative without her reporting, and as a commentator she offered critical analyses of the performers and composers active in the United States.
She did not hesitate to offer opinions on the artists and their activities, both supportive and critical, and hers was an important voice in promoting concert music during this time. She was a confident of Carl Van Vechten, both working to document the Black performers and ensembles active particularly in the
New York area.

In addition to her written works, she hosted “Nora Holt’s Concert Showcase WLIB” (1953-1964), providing an important radio forum for the works of Black Composers.

She was a member of the Music Critics Circle of New York.

MEDIA

Video Credit: WOSU Public Media

1050 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste. 500

Washington, DC 20035

1740 Broadway, 15th floor

NYC, NY 10019

917-821-3437

info@thedenycegravesfoundation.org

© 2023 The Denyce Graves Foundation

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Our Federal tax ID is 86-2276658. 

The Denyce Graves Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. 

NFG-SVLaunchBackground.jpg

GET INVOLVED

Your generous donation to the Denyce Graves Foundation supports our efforts in bringing Hidden Voices to more of our nation’s vocal arts programs, and help encourage a cultural landscape within the vocal arts at American universities that reflects the diverse world in which we live.

bottom of page