Margaret Bonds (March 3, 1913 – April 26, 1972), was an American composer, pianist, and educator. She is most remembered for her collaborations with poet Langston Hughes.
Born and raised in Chicago, she was a student of Florence Price and William Dawson. She began studies at Northwestern University when she was only 16 years old, receiving Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in piano and composition. She continued her education at Juilliard in New York City.
Throughout her career as a composer Bonds composed works for voice and piano, works for stage (musical theatre as well as ballets), and choral works. Though she was a prolific composer, many of her works lost or have yet to be recorded – an injustice that contemporary musicians are seeking to rectify.
Below is the 2023 recording of her work, Credo, for soprano solo, baritone solo, SATB chorus, and piano. The piece was finished in 1966 with text by W.E.B. Du Bois. This recording features Janinah Burnett and Dashon Burton (whose talent was recognized in the Grammy Award winning recording of Ethel Smyth’s The Prison by The Experiential Orchestra), with The Dessoff Choir conducted by Malcom J. Merriweather.