Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 17, 1912 in Cameron, MS

Death

:

January 10, 1978 in Columbia, SC

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Don Gillis was an American composer and conductor who was born on June 17, 1912, in Cameron, Missouri. He was the youngest of six children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a bandmaster, and his mother was a pianist. Gillis began playing the trumpet at a young age and later learned to play the piano and other instruments. Gillis attended the University of Missouri, where he studied music and played in the university band. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He worked as a freelance musician and played in various orchestras and bands. He also began composing music and had his first piece, "Symphony No. 1," performed by the New York Philharmonic in 1940. During World War II, Gillis served in the United States Army Air Forces as a bandmaster. He wrote music for the army band and conducted performances for troops stationed in Europe. After the war, he returned to New York City and continued to compose music. Gillis is best known for his "Symphony No. 5 1/2," also known as the "Symphony for Fun." The piece was commissioned by the Boston Pops Orchestra and premiered in 1953. It is a lighthearted and humorous work that incorporates elements of jazz and popular music. The symphony includes movements such as "The Big Parade," "The Street Corner," and "The Country Fair." Another notable work by Gillis is "The World War II Symphony," which he composed in 1943. The piece is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the war and includes movements such as "The Home Front," "The Soldier," and "The Victory Parade." The symphony was performed by the New York Philharmonic and other orchestras across the country. Gillis also wrote music for television and film. He composed the theme music for the television show "The Rifleman" and wrote music for several movies, including "The Great White Hope" and "The Big Country." In addition to his work as a composer, Gillis was a conductor and music educator. He conducted orchestras across the country and served as the director of the Symphony Orchestra at the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1968. He also taught music at the university and mentored many young musicians. Gillis died on January 10, 1978, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be performed and enjoyed today. His compositions are known for their humor, energy, and accessibility, and his contributions to American music are significant.

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