“Solomon's Renaissance approach came naturally . . .
He treated college as a primer . . . laying the foundation
for the work that was to come. [Solomon maintains]
a brisk pace by keeping his mind continuously crafting.”
Mike Morris, Houston Chronicle
“His work is organic. It breathes . . .
and that’s the good thing about it.”
Isaac Hayes, Entertainer
Solomon's screenplay Raped has been chosen as an Official Selection
by the Houston Black Film Festival, March 2017.
Solomon's song cycle Sadness and Hope was commissioned
by Louise Toppin and will be performed at the
African American Art Song Alliance
at the University of California at Irvine in February 2017.
Solomon's screenplay Darnell is an Official Finalist at the
Williamsburg International Film Festival,
September 2016.
Solomon's screenplay The Stairwell has reached the Quarterfinals
in the American Gem Literary Festival, December 2016.
Dr. Malcolm J. Solomon is a composer, a writer, a director and an independent filmmaker. Having earned a doctoral degree from Rice University, he divides his time between the previous occupations and teaching at the university level.
“A true renaissance man living in a time
when there are no renaissance men.”
Robert Gerber, International Classical Singer
Dr. Solomon earned a bachelor’s degree in classical composition at the University of St. Thomas, followed by both master’s and doctoral degrees from Rice University. Among other awards, he was honored by the American Festival of the Arts and the Sonoklect International Concert Series of 20th Century Music. His compositions have been commissioned and actively sought by a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Wilson Symphony Orchestra, the Durham Arts Council, and Rice University’s choral conductor among others. In 2014, he was commissioned to compose Kyrie (for soprano,
flute and organ), which was performed at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texa,s
April 2015. His electroacoustic piece “Two” was included on the internationally distributed CD 60 X 60. It was also performed on the radio in Amherst, MA, in a weekly program that features the finest in contemporary classical and experimental music on WMUA FM 91.1. His piece Music for Clarinet and Piano was performed at the 2008 Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference.
Additional performances include the world premiere of his ballet A Mile in Their Shoes, February 2011 at the University of Houston. His second ballet Old Wounds: New Blood was premiered a year later, February 2012, at the University of Houston. Even though Solomon has scored several films, he scored his first documentary Prescription Milk, which was released early 2012. Several of his arts songs were selected and performed at the music conference at Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. in January 2012. In addition to more songs performed at the African American Art Song Alliance at the University of California in Irvine, February 2012.
Blitzkrieg for solo piano was selected for performance at the College Music Society International Conference in Seoul and Gyeongju South Korea in July 2011, which was performed by Malcolm Solomon
More Thoughts for solo harp was selected for performance by Alyssa Reit for the Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Jan Hus Church, New York City, NY 2011.
Dr. Solomon also has a strong background in jazz composition and has been performing (solo piano, small ensemble and big band) at public and private functions ever since he was a teenager. While a student, he studied jazz privately with Tom Borling and Ronnie Matthews. He was one of the featured entertainers at the Houston International Festival, where he performed both standards and originals.
“Regardless of how good you are as a composer
or as a songwriter, you still have to understand [the]
orchestra to do music, whether it’s [a] black film
[or a] white film. This writer clearly does.”
Ken Sutherland, Music Composer
His film scoring has drawn praise from such notable figures as Isaac Hayes, Ken Sutherland and international concert singer Robert Gerber. In 2001, Dr. Solomon won the film scoring competition at the Acapulco Black Film Festival. He has scored a number of short films, feature films, television pilots and movie trailers, including:
A Haunting at Giger State University
feature film
Fallen Diva
short film
Wounded Heart
feature film
Angels and Imams
Pilot funded by ABC
The Stairwell
short film
Darryl’s Theme
short film
The Contest
short film
Dr. Solomon was the music editor for:
Dreams in the Attic
a feature film, starring Shelley Duvall
Dr. Solomon was both an assistant composer and music editor for:
Alamo Gold
feature film
As an undergraduate, Dr. Solomon studied screenwriting and playwriting extensively. He is a prolific writer and has since written over a dozen screenplays that range in genre from comedy and romantic comedy to horror and drama. His most recent screenplay, Raped, has been chosen as a semi-finalist in:
and
Additional screenplays have won and been finalists in a number of international competitions, including:
Dr. Solomon's full-length novel The Suirlang Chronicles: Lee was a finalist in
This novel is also available as a screenplay.
Dr. Solomon and M. J. Solomon Productions recently completed A Haunting at Giger State University, a horror feature film. Boasting a compact, talented cast, the film revolves around two music students who agree to work late in a university’s music library after the campus closes for the summer, a typically mundane task. The events that follow, however, will push the students to the brink of insanity and leave them fighting for their lives. To learn more, please view the film's Press Kit.
Dr. Solomon has also written, directed and produced three short films. He also scored the films and their trailers.
 
The Stairwell is a surreal drama in which a man faces the darkness that has guided him throughout his life. Chosen for one of only sixteen highly coveted slots, it was shown at the 2002 Jamerican International Film & Music Festival -- one of the top ten international film festivals in the world, according to E! Entertainment. There it won the Final Draft Screenwriters Award for best short script.
The Contest is a romantic comedy in which a young composer chosen as a finalist in an international composition competition falls in love with the one woman who can cost him the contest. This short film was also chosen for one of the sixteen coveted slots at the 2002 Jamerican International Film & Music Festival. It is based on a full-length script that reached the finals in the Sundance Feature Film Program. Dr. Solomon composed all of the modern classical music showcased in the competition scenes. A talented and accomplished pianist, Dr. Solomon performed one piece himself along with Robert Gerber: a piece for voice and piano.
Fallen Diva is a surreal drama that tells the story of a much lauded diva who abandons her family for her singing career as drugs lead her down a dark, destructive path. It was filmed in 2007-2008 and is currently making the film festival circuit.
Dr. Solomon has also combined his love of music with his love of filmmaking by producing, directing, editing and composing and arranging the music for three music videos.
His latest music video X-Man revolves around an American soldier stationed in Iraq and is currently making the film festival circuit. Thus far it has been selected as an Official Selection of the Toronto Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the New York City Independent Film Festival, Official Selection of the Cannes Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the London Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the Hollywood Black Film Festival, an Official Selection of the San Diego Black Film Festival and an Official Finalist in the Canada International Film Festival. It also won the Silver Remi Award for Creative Excellence at Worldfest - Houston International Film Festival.
That’s Life, which focuses upon the apathy that afflicts society, was chosen as an Official Selection of the Toronto Online Film Festival.
Wack Attack (Crack Attack) reveals the duality of a crack addict’s existence and is currently making the film festival circuit as well.
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