Acclaimed composer and conductor Richard Prior has taken a leave of absence from his faculty position at Emory University and will resign at the end of August, the school announced Wednesday.

Emory, a private university, declined to discuss why he’s leaving. A university spokeswoman said it does not discuss personnel matters. Prior was Emory’s Director of Orchestral Studies.  He is no longer listed on the university’s website.

Messages left for Prior through a telephone number and email address on his website were not immediately returned.

Richard Prior, Director of Orchestral Studies at Emory University, seen in this 2013 file photo, has led a number of performances with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Credit: HANDOUT

icon to expand image

Credit: HANDOUT

Prior has led performances with members of the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Houston Symphony, Montreal Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. He is listed as the conductor and music director of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. Prior was described in a 2013 Atlanta Journal-Constitution article as "the most gifted Atlanta composer most locals have never heard of."

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to premiere Prior's fourth symphony next year, the AJC reported earlier this month.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Cobb County teacher Katie Rinderle testifies at a hearing at the Cobb County Board of Education in Marietta on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Rinderle was fired after reading “My Shadow is Purple,” a book about gender identity, to fifth graders. (Arvin Temkar/ajc)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Featured

People carrying a giant pride flag participate in the annual Pride Parade in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez