Homer Keller
Encyclopedia
Homer T. Keller was an American
composer of contemporary classical music
.
He graduated from Oxnard Union High School in Oxnard, California in 1933, after which he attended the Eastman School of Music
, where he studied with Howard Hanson
, obtaining B.M. (1937) and M.M. (1938) degrees. In 1939 he was awarded US$500 in the 1939 Henry Hadley Foundation competition.
He taught at the University of Michigan
(where his notable students included Leslie Bassett
, George Balch Wilson
, and Donald Harris
) then at the University of Oregon
in Eugene, Oregon
from 1958 to 1976. His notable students at the University of Oregon include Ralph Towner
, Stephen Scott
, Raymond Barker, David W. Maves, Ricky L. Callier, Robert Scott Thompson
, Lawrence Crawford, Burt Levy, and Jim Cockey. Also at the University of Oregon, Keller worked with Jon Appleton
to set up that university's electronic music studio.
While at the University of Michigan he also served on the Interlochen Music Camp staff where he helped and influenced many aspiring young musicians including notable Dwight Beckham in 1950.
His music has been conducted by William Strickland
. It is published by the American Composers Alliance
.
Keller's last residence was Montclair
, California
.
The Homer Keller Papers are held by the Eastman School of Music.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer of contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
.
He graduated from Oxnard Union High School in Oxnard, California in 1933, after which he attended the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
, where he studied with Howard Hanson
Howard Hanson
Howard Harold Hanson was an American composer, conductor, educator, music theorist, and champion of American classical music. As director for 40 years of the Eastman School of Music, he built a high-quality school and provided opportunities for commissioning and performing American music...
, obtaining B.M. (1937) and M.M. (1938) degrees. In 1939 he was awarded US$500 in the 1939 Henry Hadley Foundation competition.
He taught at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(where his notable students included Leslie Bassett
Leslie Bassett
Leslie Bassett is an American composer of classical music, and the University of Michigan’s Albert A. Stanley Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Composition...
, George Balch Wilson
George Balch Wilson
George Balch Wilson is an American composer who is particularly known for his contributions to electronic music. In 1955 he won the Prix de Rome for composition. He taught for more than 30 years on the faculty of the University of Michigan where he notably founded and directed the school's...
, and Donald Harris
Donald Harris (composer)
Donald Harris is an American composer who taught music at The Ohio State University for 22 years. He was Dean of the College of the Arts from 1988 to 1997....
) then at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
from 1958 to 1976. His notable students at the University of Oregon include Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner
Ralph Towner is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and bandleader. He plays the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion and trumpet.-Biography:...
, Stephen Scott
Stephen Scott
Stephen Scott is an American composer best known for his development of the bowed piano , which involves a grand piano being played by an ensemble of ten musicians who utilize lengths of horsehair, nylon filament, and other utensils to bow the strings of the piano, creating an orchestra-like...
, Raymond Barker, David W. Maves, Ricky L. Callier, Robert Scott Thompson
Robert Scott Thompson
Robert Scott Thompson is a composer of ambient, instrumental and electroacoustic music. He earned the B.Mus. degree from the University of Oregon and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California at San Diego. His primary teachers include Bernard Rands, Roger Reynolds, Joji Yuasa and...
, Lawrence Crawford, Burt Levy, and Jim Cockey. Also at the University of Oregon, Keller worked with Jon Appleton
Jon Appleton
Jon Howard Appleton is an American composer and teacher who was a pioneer in electro-acoustic music. His earliest compositions in the medium, e.g. Chef d'Oeuvre and Newark Airport Rock attracted attention because they established a new tradition some have called programmatic electronic music...
to set up that university's electronic music studio.
While at the University of Michigan he also served on the Interlochen Music Camp staff where he helped and influenced many aspiring young musicians including notable Dwight Beckham in 1950.
His music has been conducted by William Strickland
William Strickland (conductor)
William Remsen Strickland was an American conductor and organist.He served as guest conductor for the Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, D.C. during World War II...
. It is published by the American Composers Alliance
American Composers Alliance
The American Composers Alliance is an American membership organization dedicated to the publishing and promoting of American contemporary classical music. Founded in 1937 by Aaron Copland, Milton Adolphus and others, it is the oldest national organization of its kind, and represents over 200...
.
Keller's last residence was Montclair
Montclair, California
Montclair is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 36,664 at the 2010 United States Census.The current mayor is Paul M. Eaton.-Description:...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
The Homer Keller Papers are held by the Eastman School of Music.
Works
- Sonatina No.1 for Piano (1935)
- Symphony No.1 in A Minor (1938)
- Chamber Symphony (1941)
- Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1941)
- Six Preludes for Piano (1947)
- Sonatina No.2 for Piano (1947)
- Symphony No.2 (1948)
- Magnificat for Chorus and Orchestra (1948)
- Sonata for Viola and Piano (1951)
- Sonata for Organ (1952)
- Sonata for Flute and Piano (1953)
- Offertory for Organ (1955)
- Symphony No.3 (1956)
- String Quartet (1958)
- Duo for Violin and Harpsichord (1960)
- 3 Constructs for Piano (1966)
- Declaration for Violin, Cello and Piano (1966)
- Interplay for Chamber Orchestra (1970)
- Sonorities for Orchestra (1970)
- For Behold, I Create New Heavens and New Earth for Chorus and Organ (1971)
- Sonata for Piano (1972)
- Sonata for Cello and Piano (1977)
- Quiet Music for a Tree for Piano (1979)
External links
- Homer Keller page from American Composers Alliance site