Daniel Lewis (conductor)
Encyclopedia
Daniel George Lewis is an American orchestral conductor and pedagogue. He is a University Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California
(USC).
) and the Hochschule fuer Musik in Munich
. He also spent time with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
.
where he headed the orchestra and conducting programs for twenty-five years (1976–1995). In 1984, he became the first faculty member of the USC School of Music to receive the title of University Professor. Some notable quotes regarding his teaching style:
He has also held academic positions at the New England Conservatory of Music
; University of California, San Diego
; California State University, Fullerton
; and the Colburn School
. He has also taught at the Conductors’ Institute (New York), the Aspen School of Music, and many of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s conducting workshops.
In 1982, he served with Leonard Bernstein
as artistic co-director of the first season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute
, and remained on the faculty for many seasons thereafter.
He has twice served as Music Director
of the Ojai Music Festival
, Music Director of the Cabrillo Music Festival, and he has also served as musical advisor to the Glendale Symphony. He was Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony
under Robert Shaw
Lewis made his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
in 1974, and he has guest conducted that orchestra in more than 30 concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
and the Hollywood Bowl
. He has also been a guest conductor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
, Minnesota Orchestra
, Atlanta Symphony, Seattle Symphony
, Louisville Symphony, as well as several other American and European ensembles.
He was married for many years to Oneta Gwendolyn Lewis (maiden name Belsha). Daniel had family in Flagstaff Arizona and Oneta had family in Phoenix Arizona, but Daniel and Oneta did not meet until both families moved to California. They met while attending high school at Grossmont High School in El Cajon California.
Daniel enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific. Daniel and Oneta were married during the war. After the war Daniel completed his education at San Diego State College. Daniel, Oneta, and their first-born son lived in Aztec Terrace at that time - housing for San Diego State College married students. The kitchen "refrigerator" at Aztec Terrace did not use electricity - the "ice man" had to make frequent deliveries of ice to keep the "refrigerator" cold.
Their oldest child, Daniel I. Lewis, was born in Los Angeles California during the war and their other five children were born after the war while they were living in San Diego California. Later, the family moved to Placentia California and then to Altadena and Pasadena California. The move to Placentia occurred when Daniel accepted a position at Fullerton State College and the moves to Altadena and Pasadena occurred when Daniel became a professor at USC.
Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Daniel taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa California. At Helix he taught both the orchestra and the marching band. The band won many awards in various competitions under Daniel's leadership. In addition, he was the founding music director of the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed at the high school and provided an opportunity for very advanced high school aged musicians to perform with a group of their peers. He also taught at Grossmont College in El Cajon California. In order to provide a better life for his large family in San Diego, Daniel often worked extra jobs at night. While teaching high school, Daniel would perform at night in various orchestras such as Starlight Opera and the San Diego ice show. From time to time he also taught violin to private students. This enabled the famiy to maintain a nice 2-story home in San Diego with a large yard and plenty of room for six children.
At one time, Daniel was Concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony.
Daniel enjoys hiking in the hills and mountains of Southern California. From time to time he would wear a "pith helmet" during his hikes to amuse his children.
During 1959-1960 he received a Fullbright Scholarship to study music in Munich Germany. His wife (Oneta) and his six children relocated to Munich for approximately 10 months at that time. They made a number of trips together throughout Bavaria and also visited Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
(USC).
Education
Trained as a violinist, Lewis studied at the Claremont Graduate School (now Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont Graduate University
Claremont Graduate University is a private, all-graduate research university located in Claremont, California, a city east of downtown Los Angeles...
) and the Hochschule fuer Musik in Munich
Hochschule für Musik und Theater München
The Hochschule für Musik und Theater München is one of the most respected traditional vocational universities in Germany specialising in music and the performing arts. The seat of the Hochschule is the former Führerbau of the NSDAP, located at Arcisstraße 12, on the eastern side of the Königsplatz...
. He also spent time with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, in German Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks is the internationally renowned orchestra of the Bayerischer Rundfunk , based in Munich, Germany. It is one of the three principal orchestras in the city of Munich, along with the Munich Philharmonic...
.
Academic positions
He is best known for his tenure at the USC Thornton School of MusicUSC Thornton School of Music
The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, founded in 1884 and dedicated in 1999, is one of the premier music schools in the United States...
where he headed the orchestra and conducting programs for twenty-five years (1976–1995). In 1984, he became the first faculty member of the USC School of Music to receive the title of University Professor. Some notable quotes regarding his teaching style:
- "He demands a kind of intensity with his orchestra. With Daniel Lewis, it was an event just to go to rehearsal. He has a genuine love for music and the ability to transfer those feelings in a way that inspires those who are making the sounds." (Cynthia PhelpsCynthia PhelpsCynthia Phelps is an American violist whose versatile career involves work as a chamber musician, solo artist, and orchestral musician. Phelps is currently the Principal Violist of the New York Philharmonic, a position to which she was appointed in 1992...
, principal viola, New York PhilharmonicNew York PhilharmonicThe New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
) - "He instills a discipline in his students. You're either ready or you're out" (Amy Sims, concertmaster, Omaha Symphony, former member of Southwest Chamber MusicSouthwest Chamber MusicSouthwest Chamber Music is an ensemble of 15 musicians based in Los Angeles County, California. The organization was founded in 1987 by Artistic Director Jeff von der Schmidt and Executive Director Jan Karlin...
) - "I'm not trying to create a battle or victory over them. I just want them to live up to what their potential is." (Daniel Lewis)
He has also held academic positions at the New England Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest independent school of music in the United States.The conservatory is home each year to 750 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies along with 1400 more in its Preparatory School as well as the School of...
; University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
; California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
; and the Colburn School
Colburn School
The Colburn School is a music, dance, and drama school located in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Art and across the street from the Walt Disney Concert Hall...
. He has also taught at the Conductors’ Institute (New York), the Aspen School of Music, and many of the American Symphony Orchestra League’s conducting workshops.
In 1982, he served with Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein August 25, 1918 – October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim...
as artistic co-director of the first season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute
Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute was a summer training program held in Los Angeles, California for conservatory aged orchestral instrumentalists and conductors...
, and remained on the faculty for many seasons thereafter.
Orchestral appointments and guest conducting
From 1971 to 1982, he was Music Director of the Pasadena Symphony. Under Lewis' leadership, the orchestra became fully professional, winning critical acclaim and five ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) awards for adventuresome programming.He has twice served as Music Director
Ojai Music Festival: Music Directors
This is a complete list of Music Directors of the Ojai Music Festival, shown both alphabetically and chronologically- A-E :*John Adams: 1993*Pierre-Laurent Aimard: 2007*Leif Ove Andsnes: 2012*Emanuel Ax: 1997*George Benjamin: 2010...
of the Ojai Music Festival
Ojai Music Festival
The Ojai Music Festival is an annual classical music festival in the United States. Held in Ojai, California for four days every June, the festival presents music, symposia, and educational programs emphasizing adventurous, eclectic, and challenging music, principally by contemporary composers...
, Music Director of the Cabrillo Music Festival, and he has also served as musical advisor to the Glendale Symphony. He was Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony
San Diego Symphony
The San Diego Symphony is an American symphony orchestra, based in San Diego, California. On 6 December 1910, it gave its first concert as the San Diego Civic Orchestra.Currently, the Symphony performs over 100 concerts each season...
under Robert Shaw
Robert Shaw (conductor)
Robert Shaw was an American conductor most famous for his work with his namesake Chorale, with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Shaw received 14 Grammy awards, four ASCAP awards for service to contemporary music, the first Guggenheim Fellowship...
Lewis made his debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September...
in 1974, and he has guest conducted that orchestra in more than 30 concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is one of the halls in the Los Angeles Music Center . The Music Center's other halls include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.The Pavilion has 3,197 seats spread over four tiers, with chandeliers, wide curving stairways and rich décor...
and the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
. He has also been a guest conductor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is a 40-member American chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, considered by music critic Jim Svejda as "America's finest chamber orchestra".-History:...
, Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
, Atlanta Symphony, Seattle Symphony
Seattle Symphony
The Seattle Symphony is an American orchestra based in Seattle, Washington. Since 1998, the orchestra is resident at Benaroya Hall. The orchestra's season runs from September through July, and serves as the pit orchestra for most productions of the Seattle Opera in addition to its own concerts...
, Louisville Symphony, as well as several other American and European ensembles.
Personal life
Daniel George Lewis has six children, all with Oneta G. Lewis: Daniel I. Lewis, Stephen J. Lewis, Lawrence D. Lewis, Ralph C. Lewis, Paul G. Lewis, and Denise M. Lewis. He has fifteen grandchildren (Daniel Gregory Lewis, Deborah M. Lewis, Gregory M. Lewis, Laura Lee Lewis, Jeffrey Lee Lewis, Marie Lewis, Michael Lewis, Steven Lewis, Kendall Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Jennifer Lewis, Bryan Lewis, Christopher Lewis, Jessica Lewis, and Rachel Marston) and seven great grandchildren (Amanda Fairchild, Matthew Fairchild, Terry Fairchild, Aleya Lewis, Milana Lewis, Kit Lewis, and Daniyal Lewis). All of Daniel's children and grandchildren graduated from college or are currently attending college.He was married for many years to Oneta Gwendolyn Lewis (maiden name Belsha). Daniel had family in Flagstaff Arizona and Oneta had family in Phoenix Arizona, but Daniel and Oneta did not meet until both families moved to California. They met while attending high school at Grossmont High School in El Cajon California.
Daniel enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific. Daniel and Oneta were married during the war. After the war Daniel completed his education at San Diego State College. Daniel, Oneta, and their first-born son lived in Aztec Terrace at that time - housing for San Diego State College married students. The kitchen "refrigerator" at Aztec Terrace did not use electricity - the "ice man" had to make frequent deliveries of ice to keep the "refrigerator" cold.
Their oldest child, Daniel I. Lewis, was born in Los Angeles California during the war and their other five children were born after the war while they were living in San Diego California. Later, the family moved to Placentia California and then to Altadena and Pasadena California. The move to Placentia occurred when Daniel accepted a position at Fullerton State College and the moves to Altadena and Pasadena occurred when Daniel became a professor at USC.
Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Daniel taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa California. At Helix he taught both the orchestra and the marching band. The band won many awards in various competitions under Daniel's leadership. In addition, he was the founding music director of the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed at the high school and provided an opportunity for very advanced high school aged musicians to perform with a group of their peers. He also taught at Grossmont College in El Cajon California. In order to provide a better life for his large family in San Diego, Daniel often worked extra jobs at night. While teaching high school, Daniel would perform at night in various orchestras such as Starlight Opera and the San Diego ice show. From time to time he also taught violin to private students. This enabled the famiy to maintain a nice 2-story home in San Diego with a large yard and plenty of room for six children.
At one time, Daniel was Concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony.
Daniel enjoys hiking in the hills and mountains of Southern California. From time to time he would wear a "pith helmet" during his hikes to amuse his children.
During 1959-1960 he received a Fullbright Scholarship to study music in Munich Germany. His wife (Oneta) and his six children relocated to Munich for approximately 10 months at that time. They made a number of trips together throughout Bavaria and also visited Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.