Gillis, Don, 1912-1978
Dates
- Existence: June 1912 - January 10, 1978
Biography
Don Gillis was a prolific composer, arranger, and music educator. He began his career in radio in Dallas, Texas in the 1930s and rose to become a well-travelled conductor and composer in the 1940s and a radio producer for NBC's Symphony of the Air during the Toscanini era. In the 1960s and 1970s he worked with the Interlochen Music Camp and joined the faculties of Southern Methodist University. Dallas Baptist College, and the University of South Carolina. Gillis composed in virtually all contemporary styles and genres. His music is engaging, accessible, and often satirical and humorous with whimsical titles. He especially enjoyed native musical idioms of jazz, be-bop, and the blues and his compositions often reflect a wonderful sense of regional flavor and Americana.
Source: /www.dongillismusic.com/>.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
American Composers Collection
The American Composers Collection includes material related to over 150 composers, including manuscript music scores, programs, correspondence, news clippings, and other items. Material varies with composer, from a single item to several folders. The collection was amassed from various donations to the University of Missouri-Kansas City before being given to the Dr. Kenneth J. LaBudde Department of Special Collections. Provenance is noted when known.
