Jean Berger
Encyclopedia
Jean Berger was a German-born pianist, composer, and music educator.
and Vienna
. He also studied composition with Louis Aubert
in Paris
. From 1933 to 1939, he lived in Paris and toured widely as a pianist and accompanist. From 1939 to 1941, he was assistant conductor at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro
and on the faculty of the Brazilian Conservatory. He also toured widely throughout South America. In 1941, he moved to the United States and was drafted the following year. In 1943, he became a US citizen. He worked in the Office of War Information producing foreign-language broadcasts and USO shows until 1946. From 1946 to 1948, he worked as an arranger for CBS
and NBC
and toured as a concert accompanist.
, Middlebury, Vermont, which he held until 1959. From 1959 to 1961, he was on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
. From 1961 to 1966, he taught at the University of Colorado at Boulder
and then the Colorado Women's College, Denver, Colorado from 1968 to 1971. From 1970 on, he lectured widely throughout the world on various aspects of American music. Berger composed extensively for choral ensemble and solo voice.
, an international professional music fraternity. He died in Aurora, Colorado in May 2002.
Early years
Berger was born in Hamm, Germany and studied musicology at the universities of HeidelbergHeidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
and 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...
. He also studied composition with Louis Aubert
Louis Aubert
Louis François Marie Aubert was a French composer.-Biography:Louis Aubert was a child prodigy. His parents, recognizing their son's musical talent, sent him to Paris to receive an education at an early age...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. From 1933 to 1939, he lived in Paris and toured widely as a pianist and accompanist. From 1939 to 1941, he was assistant conductor at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and on the faculty of the Brazilian Conservatory. He also toured widely throughout South America. In 1941, he moved to the United States and was drafted the following year. In 1943, he became a US citizen. He worked in the Office of War Information producing foreign-language broadcasts and USO shows until 1946. From 1946 to 1948, he worked as an arranger for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
and 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...
and toured as a concert accompanist.
Academic career
In 1948 Berger moved into the academic world, taking a faculty position at Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
, Middlebury, Vermont, which he held until 1959. From 1959 to 1961, he was on the faculty of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
. From 1961 to 1966, he taught at the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
and then the Colorado Women's College, Denver, Colorado from 1968 to 1971. From 1970 on, he lectured widely throughout the world on various aspects of American music. Berger composed extensively for choral ensemble and solo voice.
Personal life
He was a National Patron of Delta OmicronDelta Omicron
Delta Omicron is a co-ed international professional music honors fraternity whose mission is to promote and support excellence in music and musicianship.-History:...
, an international professional music fraternity. He died in Aurora, Colorado in May 2002.
External links
- Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies (accessed October 16, 2007)