Don Gillis
Encyclopedia
Donald Eugene Gillis was a US composer
, conductor
and teacher. The composition which has gained him most recognition is his orchestra
l Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun
.
. His family moved to Fort Worth, Texas
, and he studied at Texas Christian University
, playing trombone and acting as assistant director of the university band. He graduated in 1935, and obtained a masters degree from North Texas State University in 1943.
He became production director for the radio station WBAP, later moving to NBC
where he became producer for the NBC Symphony Orchestra
during the tenure of its conductor Arturo Toscanini
. He held several teaching posts at academic institutions in the southern United States during his career, and also helped to found the Symphony of the Air orchestra. Gillis produced several NBC radio programs, including "Serenade to America" and "NBC Concert Hour." After Toscanini retired in 1954 Gillis, serving as president of the Symphony Foundation of America, was instrumental in helping to form the Symphony of the Air, using members of the old NBC Symphony. Gillis also produced the radio program "Toscanini: The Man Behind the Legend," which ran for several years on NBC after the Italian conductor's death.
He died in Columbia, South Carolina
, on January 10, 1978. His papers and an extensive collection of recorded material are housed at the University of North Texas
in Denton .
, originally performed by Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra during a September 21, 1947, broadcast concert that Gillis also produced; it was preserved on transcription discs but not commercially issued. Since 2005, his symphonies have been recorded on the Albany Records
label.
Gillis sought to interpret contemporary American culture musically. His music drew upon popular material, particularly emphasizing jazz, which he considered a revitalizing element in American music. He assimilated popular influences in a simple and straightforward style aimed at communicating with his audiences through an emphasis on clear, accessible, melodic writing. Many of his works are best characterized as fun and full of humor.
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...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and teacher. The composition which has gained him most recognition is his orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
l Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun
Symphony No. 5½ (Gillis)
The Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun, is an orchestral symphony written in 1946 by American composer Don Gillis.Gillis, a prolific composer, had already written five symphonies when he embarked on this work's composition...
.
Biography
Don Gillis was born in Cameron, MissouriCameron, Missouri
Cameron is a city in Clinton and DeKalb Counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 8,312 at the 2000 census.The Clinton County portion of Cameron is part of the Kansas City, MO–KS Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the DeKalb County portion is part of the St...
. His family moved to Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
, and he studied at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
, playing trombone and acting as assistant director of the university band. He graduated in 1935, and obtained a masters degree from North Texas State University in 1943.
He became production director for the radio station WBAP, later moving to NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
where he became producer for the NBC Symphony Orchestra
NBC Symphony Orchestra
The NBC Symphony Orchestra was a radio orchestra established by David Sarnoff of the National Broadcasting Company especially for conductor Arturo Toscanini...
during the tenure of its conductor Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
. He held several teaching posts at academic institutions in the southern United States during his career, and also helped to found the Symphony of the Air orchestra. Gillis produced several NBC radio programs, including "Serenade to America" and "NBC Concert Hour." After Toscanini retired in 1954 Gillis, serving as president of the Symphony Foundation of America, was instrumental in helping to form the Symphony of the Air, using members of the old NBC Symphony. Gillis also produced the radio program "Toscanini: The Man Behind the Legend," which ran for several years on NBC after the Italian conductor's death.
He died in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, on January 10, 1978. His papers and an extensive collection of recorded material are housed at the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
in Denton .
Music
Despite his administrative responsibilities, Gillis was a prolific composer, writing ten orchestral symphonies, tone poems like Portrait of a Frontier Town, piano concertos, rhapsodies for harp and orchestra, and six string quartets. He also composed a wide variety of band music. Gillis is best remembered as the composer of his Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for FunSymphony No. 5½ (Gillis)
The Symphony No. 5½, A Symphony for Fun, is an orchestral symphony written in 1946 by American composer Don Gillis.Gillis, a prolific composer, had already written five symphonies when he embarked on this work's composition...
, originally performed by Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra during a September 21, 1947, broadcast concert that Gillis also produced; it was preserved on transcription discs but not commercially issued. Since 2005, his symphonies have been recorded on the Albany Records
Albany Records
Albany Records is an American classical music record label focusing particularly on contemporary classical music. It was established by Peter Kermani in 1987, and is based in Albany, New York.-External links:**...
label.
Gillis sought to interpret contemporary American culture musically. His music drew upon popular material, particularly emphasizing jazz, which he considered a revitalizing element in American music. He assimilated popular influences in a simple and straightforward style aimed at communicating with his audiences through an emphasis on clear, accessible, melodic writing. Many of his works are best characterized as fun and full of humor.
Chronological list of principal compositions
- 1936 String Quartet 1
- 1937 The Panhandle, symphonic suite for orchestra
- 1937 The Crucifixion, cantata
- 1937 The Woolyworm, for orchestra
- 1937 Thoughts Provoked on Becoming a Prospective Papa, symphonic suite
- 1937 The Raven, after Edgar Allan Poe, for narrator & orchestra
- 1938 Suite 1 for Wind Quintet
- 1939 Suite 2 for Wind Quintet
- 1939 Suite 3 for Wind Quintet
- 1939-40 Symphony 1, An American Symphony
- 1940 Intermission - Ten Minutes, symphonic sketch for orchestra
- 1940 Portrait of a Frontier Town, for orchestra
- 1940 Symphony 2, Symphony of Faith
- 1940-1 Symphony 3, A Symphony for Free Men
- 1941 The Night Before Christmas, for narrator & orchestra
- 1942 Three Sketches, for strings
- 1943 Prairie Poem, tone poem
- 1943 Symphony 4
- 1944 The Alamo, tone poem
- 1944 A Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera, for orchestra
- 1944-5 Symphony 5, In Memoriam
- 1945 To An Unknown Soldier, tone poem
- 1945 This Is Our America, cantata
- 1945-6 Symphony 5½, A Symphony for Fun
- 1946 Rhapsody for harp & orchestra
- 1947 Dude Ranch, tone poem
- 1947 String Quartet 6
- 1947 Symphony 6, The Pioneers
- 1948 Symphony 7, Saga of the Prairie School
- 1949 Shindig, ballet in 7 Episodes for orchestra
- 1950 Symphony 8, A Dance Symphony
- 1950 Tulsa, a symphonic portrait in oil, for orchestra
- 1951 Symphony 9, Star-Spangled Symphony
- 1954 The Coming of The King, for chorus
- 1956 Piano Concerto 1, Encore Concerto
- 1956 Pep-Rally, opera for band
- 1957 The Park Avenue Kids, opera
- 1957 Five Acre Pond, for oboe & orchestra
- 1958 The Libretto, opera
- 1958 Men of Music, for band
- 1959 The Land of Wheat, suite for band
- 1961-2 The Legend of Star Valley Junction, opera
- 1964 Ceremony of Allegiance, for narrator & band
- 1965 Seven Golden Texts, for narrator voices & orchestra
- 1966 The Gift of the Magi, opera
- 1966 World Premiere, opera
- 1966 Piano Concerto 2
- 1967 Arturo Toscanini, A Portrait of a Century, for narrator & orchestra
- 1967 Symphony X (n°10), Big D(allas)
- 1967-8 The Nazarene, opera
- 1969 Rhapsody for Trumpet & orchestra
- 1973 Behold the Man, opera
- 1976 The Secret History of the Birth of a Nation, for narrator voices & orchestra
Publications
- The Unfinished Symphony Conductor. Pemberton Press (1967). A satirical conducting manual.
- The Art of Media Instruction. Crescendo Book Publications (1973).
Memberships & affiliations
- Phi Mu Alpha SinfoniaPhi Mu Alpha SinfoniaPhi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
-
- Alpha Alpha, 1958 (National Honorary Chapter)
- Gamma Theta, 1941 (University of North Texas College of MusicUniversity of North Texas College of MusicThe University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
Chapter)
External links
- DonGillisMusic a website maintained by Gillis' daughter.
- Don Gillis Collection at the University of North Texas
- Humoresque Short item in Time Magazine on Gillis' "Symphony 5½, a Symphony for Fun" (1947)
- The Man Who Invented Music Short item in Time Magazine on Gillis' "The Man Who Invented Music" (1949)
- Don Gillis Short article about Gillis from the Compact Discoveries program on the Public Broadcasting ServicePublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....