Kasilag, Lucrecia R. (1918—)

Philippine composer, pianist, professor and writer. Born in La Union, the Philippines, on August 31, 1918; Philippine Women's University, B.A. cum laude, in 1936; St. Scholastica College, a music teacher's diploma, 1939; Philippine Women's University, Bachelor of Music, 1949; a Master's of Music from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Master's of Music, in 1950; Centro Escolar University, Doctorate of Music, in 1975; held degrees in law as well.

Chair of the League of Philippine composers; wrote almost 100 works, including a violin concerto recorded in the 1980s.

Lucrecia Kasilag earned many academic credentials including a B.A. cum laude from the Philippine Women's University in 1936, a music teacher's diploma from St. Scholastica College in 1939; a Bachelor of Music in 1949 from the Philippine Women's University; a Master's of Music from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester in 1950, a Doctorate of Music from the Centro Escolar University in 1975, a Doctorate of Law from the Philippine Women's University in 1980, and a Doctor of Fine Arts from St. John's University in 1981.

From 1953 to 1977, while she was pursuing her education, Kasilag served as dean of the College of Music and Fine Arts at the Philippine Women's University as well as professor of music. In addition, she directed the Theater for Performing Arts and presided over the National Music Council of the Philippines. Kasilag headed cultural delegations to the United Nations and presided over international music conferences. The Fulbright Scholar Commission, John D. Rockefeller III Fund, Colombo Plan, Asia Foundation, and the Federal Republic of Germany all supported her work. She also received numerous awards. Kasilag was interested in occidental and oriental instruments, a theme reflected in her compositions and in her writing. Her compositions range from European to Philippine folksongs. A prolific composer, Lucrecia Kasilag pioneered the concept of East-West compositions.

John Haag , Athens, Georgia