Marvin V. Curtis, a native of Chicago, Illinois, is Choral Director at Fayetteville State University. He previously served on the faculties of California State University, Stanislaus, Virginia Linion University, and Lane College.

He earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from North Park College in Chicago; his Master of Arts from The Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia; and the Doctor of Education degree from,The University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He did additional studies at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and The Juilliard School of Music in New York. He was a 1993 Ford Foundation Fellow to the National Council for Black Studies Conference in Accra, Ghana, where he studied at the University of Ghana at Lagon.

Dr. Curtis is the first African-American composer commissioned to write a choral work for a Presidential Inauguration. His work, The City On the Hill was premiered at President Clinton's 1993 Inauguration performed by The Philander Smith Collegiate Choir of Little Rock, Arkansas and The United States Marine Band. Other choral commissions have come from schools and churches including Benedict College, Clark Atlanta University, North Carolina A&T, the Hampton Ministers Conference, North Park College, Fairfield University, and Morris Brown College. He has written orchestral works that have been performed by The Richmond Symphony, The Minnesota Orchestra, The Stanislaus Orchestra, and The Petersburg Symphony. He is published by The Mark Foster Music Company, Music 70/80, Coronet Press, and International Opus.

He has led numerous workshops in African-American music and Multi-Cultural Education. He is published in scholarly journals and continues to serve as guest conductor at numerous choral festivals.

His awards include the 1992 Research Achievement Award from NAFEO, the Key to the City of Savannah, Georgia, The Medallion of the City of Richmond, Virginia, and The Distinguished Alumnus award from North Park College and The University of the Pacific. His choral work for President Clinton is housed in the Smithsonian Institute's National African American Project Archives.

Dr. Curtis was recently appointed Guest Conductor/Musical Advisor by the Ri.-hmond Symphony for their "In Harmony" concert series. He is the host of "Classical Sampler" on WFSS-91.9 FM on Monday nights.