David Guion
Encyclopedia
David W. Guion Texan composer
, was best known for his arrangements of cowboy tunes, African American spiritual
s, and original compositions often inspired by the soundscape
of west Texas.
, who later became a prolific author and literary magazine editor. In the fall of 1907 he studied at the Whipple Academy in Jacksonville, Illinois
, after which he continued his studies in Fort Worth at Polytechnic College (now Texas Wesleyan University
) under Wilbur MacDonald. After MacDonald's death in 1912, Guion went to Vienna
, where he studied at the Imperial Academy of Music with Leopold Godowsky
until the spring of 1914. Returning to Texas, Guion taught piano at Daniel Baker College
(now Howard Payne University
) in Brownwood, and also turned his attention to composition. One of his first major successes, a virtuosic arrangement of Turkey in the Straw
, was performed by many famous pianists, most notably Percy Grainger
.
governor (John I. Guion
), and served as President of the Board of Directors at A&M College (now Texas A&M University
), where Guion Hall was built in his honor. In the following decade, David Guion taught at Southern Methodist University
, various private music schools in Dallas, Chicago Musical College
, and in summer programs at Estes Park, Colorado
. He won first prize in rodeos at Estes Park and Cheyenne, Wyoming
. Guion was married briefly to Marion Ayers, daughter of the owner of a Dallas department store.
in New York City, Guion starred in the cowboy show Prairie Echoes, featuring several of his cowboy songs, including his own version of Home on the Range
. It was Guion's arrangement that transformed Home on the Range
from a little-known cowboy tune to one of the most famous and popular of all western songs, proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
as his own favorite. Guion did two series of weekly radio shows featuring his own music exclusively: Hearing America with Guion (June-Sept. 1931) and David Guion and Orchestra (Jan.-Mar. 1932). These programs, which were carried across the country in a coast-to-coast hookup, contributed to the vogue for singing cowboy
s that continued on radio and television through the 1940s and early 1950s. Guion's ballet Shingandi, originally written for two pianos but later orchestrated by Ferde Grofé
and introduced by Paul Whiteman
's orchestra in November, 1931 both in a live concert and in a nationwide radio broadcast, is one of the most significant American dramatic works in the style of primitivism
. Concluding his two-year stay in New York, Guion returned to Dallas in the summer of 1932. Theodore Kosloff
choreographed Shingandi and gave the work its first performance as a ballet in 1933.
in 1936. His mother died later that year, after which Guion largely retired from public life, moving to an estate that he called "Home on the Range" along Pohopoco Creek in the Poconos
in Pennsylvania. He lived here until 1965, when his property was condemned for a dam to be constructed along the creek to create Beltzville Lake.
The first week of February 1950 was declared David Guion Week and was celebrated with numerous performances across Texas. Climaxing this celebration was a ceremony at Howard Payne University
in which Guion received an honorary doctorate. That same year he received a commission from the Houston Symphony Orchestra
to write the fourteen-movement Texas Suite, which contains several newly-composed pieces along with orchestrations of some of his previous works.
Returning from Pennsylvania to Dallas, Guion lived the rest of his life in the same house that had belonged to his mother. He died in Dallas on October 17, 1981 and was buried in his hometown of Ballinger.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, was best known for his arrangements of cowboy tunes, African American spiritual
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
s, and original compositions often inspired by the soundscape
Soundscape
A soundscape is a sound or combination of sounds that forms or arises from an immersive environment. The study of soundscape is the subject of acoustic ecology...
of west Texas.
Early life
David Wendel Guion (some sources show him as David Wendel Fentress Guion) was born in Ballinger, Texas on December 15, 1892 to John I. and Armour Fentress Guion. Guion began to play the piano at an early age. He was intrigued by the cowboys, former cattle drivers, who worked on his father's ranch, and also by the spirituals that he heard whenever a family servant brought him to the services of an African-American church. As a young boy, he was sent by train each Saturday to San Angelo, where he took piano lessons with Charles FingerCharles Finger
Charles Joseph Finger was an American author.-Biography:He was born in Willesden, England and attended King's College London. He traveled extensively as a young man, visiting North America, South America, and Africa...
, who later became a prolific author and literary magazine editor. In the fall of 1907 he studied at the Whipple Academy in Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
, after which he continued his studies in Fort Worth at Polytechnic College (now Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Wesleyan University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university founded by the United Methodist Church in 1890. The main campus is located in the Polytechnic Heights Neighborhood of Fort Worth, Texas, with branch campuses in Burleson and downtown Fort Worth.-History:Texas Wesleyan...
) under Wilbur MacDonald. After MacDonald's death in 1912, Guion went to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, where he studied at the Imperial Academy of Music with Leopold Godowsky
Leopold Godowsky
Leopold Godowsky was a famed Polish American pianist, composer, and teacher. One of the most highly regarded performers of his time, he became known for his theories concerning the application of relaxed weight and economy of motion in piano playing, principles later propagated by Godowsky's...
until the spring of 1914. Returning to Texas, Guion taught piano at Daniel Baker College
Daniel Baker College
Daniel Baker College was founded April 5, 1889 in Brownwood, Texas and was named in memory of the Rev. Dr. Daniel Baker, a Presbyterian circuit-riding minister, who helped organize the first presbytery in Texas in 1840 and Austin College in 1849....
(now Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a four-year private university located in Brownwood, Texas.Currently the university enrolls 1,400 full-time students. Howard Payne is known for the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, its Music program and its Christian Studies program...
) in Brownwood, and also turned his attention to composition. One of his first major successes, a virtuosic arrangement of Turkey in the Straw
Turkey in the Straw
"Turkey in the Straw" is a well-known American folk song dating from the early 19th century.The song's tune was first popularized in the late 1820s and early 1830s by blackface performers, notably George Washington Dixon, Bob Farrell and George Nichols. Another song, "Zip Coon", was sung to the...
, was performed by many famous pianists, most notably Percy Grainger
Percy Grainger
George Percy Aldridge Grainger , known as Percy Grainger, was an Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist. In the course of a long and innovative career he played a prominent role in the revival of interest in British folk music in the early years of the 20th century. He also made many...
.
From pianist to cowboy-composer
After Guion's father died in 1920, the family left Ballinger and moved to Dallas. Guion's father, John Isaac Guion II, was the son of a MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
governor (John I. Guion
John I. Guion
John Isaac Guion was an American politician from Mississippi. From 1842 to 1850, he served two terms in the state senate. In February 1851, with the resignation of John A. Quitman, he became Governor of Mississippi, serving as a Democrat until the end of November of that year....
), and served as President of the Board of Directors at A&M College (now Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
), where Guion Hall was built in his honor. In the following decade, David Guion taught at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, various private music schools in Dallas, Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College
Chicago Musical College is a division of Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt UniversityIt was founded in 1867, less than four decades after the city of Chicago was incorporated...
, and in summer programs at Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park had a population of 5,858 at the 2010 census...
. He won first prize in rodeos at Estes Park and Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the...
. Guion was married briefly to Marion Ayers, daughter of the owner of a Dallas department store.
Fame on Broadway and on the radio
In 1930 at the Roxy TheaterRoxy Theater
The Roxy Theatre was a 5,920 seat movie theater located at 153 West 50th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, just off Times Square in New York City. It opened on March 11, 1927 with the silent film The Love of Sunya, produced by and starring Gloria Swanson. The huge movie palace was a leading...
in New York City, Guion starred in the cowboy show Prairie Echoes, featuring several of his cowboy songs, including his own version of Home on the Range
Home on the Range (song)
"Home on the Range" is the state song of the American state of Kansas. Dr. Brewster M. Higley originally wrote the words in a poem called "My Western Home" in the early 1870s in Smith County, Kansas. The poem was first published in a December 1873 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title...
. It was Guion's arrangement that transformed Home on the Range
Home on the Range (song)
"Home on the Range" is the state song of the American state of Kansas. Dr. Brewster M. Higley originally wrote the words in a poem called "My Western Home" in the early 1870s in Smith County, Kansas. The poem was first published in a December 1873 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title...
from a little-known cowboy tune to one of the most famous and popular of all western songs, proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
as his own favorite. Guion did two series of weekly radio shows featuring his own music exclusively: Hearing America with Guion (June-Sept. 1931) and David Guion and Orchestra (Jan.-Mar. 1932). These programs, which were carried across the country in a coast-to-coast hookup, contributed to the vogue for singing cowboy
Singing cowboy
A singing cowboy was a subtype of the archetypal cowboy hero of early Western films, popularized by many of the B-movies of the 1930s and 1940s...
s that continued on radio and television through the 1940s and early 1950s. Guion's ballet Shingandi, originally written for two pianos but later orchestrated by Ferde Grofé
Ferde Grofé
Ferde Grofé was a prominent American composer, arranger and pianist. During the 1920s and 1930s, he went by the name Ferdie Grofé.-Early life:...
and introduced by Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman
Paul Samuel Whiteman was an American bandleader and orchestral director.Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz"...
's orchestra in November, 1931 both in a live concert and in a nationwide radio broadcast, is one of the most significant American dramatic works in the style of primitivism
Primitivism
Primitivism is a Western art movement that borrows visual forms from non-Western or prehistoric peoples, such as Paul Gauguin's inclusion of Tahitian motifs in paintings and ceramics...
. Concluding his two-year stay in New York, Guion returned to Dallas in the summer of 1932. Theodore Kosloff
Theodore Kosloff
Theodore Kosloff was a Russian-born ballet dancer, choreographer and film and stage actor. He was occasionally credited as Theodor Kosloff.-Career:...
choreographed Shingandi and gave the work its first performance as a ballet in 1933.
Later career
Guion's My Cowboy Love-Song was the theme for the show Cavalcade of Texas, which ran for six months as part of the Texas Centennial ExpositionTexas Centennial Exposition
The Texas Centennial Exposition was a World's Fair held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Texas's independence from Mexico in 1836. More than 50 buildings, for which "George Dahl was director general of a group of architects who designed the buildings ", were...
in 1936. His mother died later that year, after which Guion largely retired from public life, moving to an estate that he called "Home on the Range" along Pohopoco Creek in the Poconos
The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is a region located in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The Poconos, located chiefly in Monroe and Pike counties , are an upland of the larger Allegheny Plateau...
in Pennsylvania. He lived here until 1965, when his property was condemned for a dam to be constructed along the creek to create Beltzville Lake.
The first week of February 1950 was declared David Guion Week and was celebrated with numerous performances across Texas. Climaxing this celebration was a ceremony at Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University is a four-year private university located in Brownwood, Texas.Currently the university enrolls 1,400 full-time students. Howard Payne is known for the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom, its Music program and its Christian Studies program...
in which Guion received an honorary doctorate. That same year he received a commission from the Houston Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony Orchestra
The Houston Symphony is an American orchestra based in Houston, Texas. Since 1966, it has performed at the Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston....
to write the fourteen-movement Texas Suite, which contains several newly-composed pieces along with orchestrations of some of his previous works.
Returning from Pennsylvania to Dallas, Guion lived the rest of his life in the same house that had belonged to his mother. He died in Dallas on October 17, 1981 and was buried in his hometown of Ballinger.
Compositions
Among the approximately 200 works by David Guion (some of which are arrangements of folk songs and African-American spirituals) are:- Piano works
- The Arkansas TravelerThe Arkansas Traveler (song)"The Arkansas Traveler" was the state song of Arkansas from 1949 to 1963; it has been the state historical song since 1987. The music was composed in the 19th century by Colonel Sanford C...
- The Harmonica-Player
- Minuet
- Sheep and Goat
- Turkey in the StrawTurkey in the Straw"Turkey in the Straw" is a well-known American folk song dating from the early 19th century.The song's tune was first popularized in the late 1820s and early 1830s by blackface performers, notably George Washington Dixon, Bob Farrell and George Nichols. Another song, "Zip Coon", was sung to the...
- Valse Arabesque
- The Texas Fox Trot (1915)
- The Arkansas Traveler
- Songs for voice and piano
- At the Cry of the First Bird
- The Bold Vaquero
- Embers
- Home on the RangeHome on the Range (song)"Home on the Range" is the state song of the American state of Kansas. Dr. Brewster M. Higley originally wrote the words in a poem called "My Western Home" in the early 1870s in Smith County, Kansas. The poem was first published in a December 1873 issue of the Smith County Pioneer under the title...
- How Dy Do, Mis' Springtime
- I Talked to God Last Night
- Mary Alone
- My Cowboy Love-Song
- Nobody Knows de Trouble I Sees
- De Ol' ark's a-Moverin
- Prayer
- Some o' These Days
- Ballets
- Mother Goose
- Shingandi
- Orchestral works
- Prairie Suite
- Texas Suite
Primary sources
- David Guion Collection, Crouch Fine Arts Library, Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
. - David Guion Collection, International Festival-Institute, Round Top, TexasRound Top, TexasRound Top is a town in Fayette County, Texas, United States. The population was 77 at the 2000 census.Round Top is the home of three visitor-drawing programs:...
. - David Guion, My Memoirs (unpublished), 1975. The Southwest Collection, Texas Tech UniversityTexas Tech UniversityTexas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
.
External links
- Dick, James. "Guion, David Wendel." The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
- David Wendell Guion Collection at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research CenterHarry Ransom Humanities Research CenterThe Harry Ransom Center is a library and archive at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the collection of literary and cultural artifacts from the United States and Europe. The Ransom Center houses 36 million literary manuscripts, 1 million rare books, 5 million photographs, and more...
at the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin... - Midi version of The Texas Fox Trot