Role

:

Conductor

Birth

:

October 1, 1921 in Kokomo, IN

Death

:

May 4, 2001 in Evanston, IL

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Margaret Hillis was a renowned American conductor and choral director who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. She was born on June 17, 1921, in Kokomo, Indiana, and grew up in a musical family. Her father was a church organist, and her mother was a choir director. Hillis began her musical training at an early age, studying piano and voice. Hillis attended Butler University in Indianapolis, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1942. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Master of Music degree in 1945. During her time at Juilliard, Hillis studied conducting with Edgar Varèse and Robert Shaw. After completing her studies, Hillis began her career as a choral director. She served as the director of the choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis from 1945 to 1952. In 1952, she was appointed the director of the choir at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. She held this position for 20 years, during which time she established the festival chorus as one of the premier choral ensembles in the country. In addition to her work at Ravinia, Hillis was also the founder and director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. She founded the chorus in 1957 and served as its director until 1994. Under her leadership, the Chicago Symphony Chorus became one of the most respected and acclaimed choral ensembles in the world. Hillis was known for her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to bring out the best in her singers. She was also known for her innovative programming, which often featured lesser-known works alongside more familiar pieces. Hillis was a champion of contemporary music and commissioned many new works for the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Throughout her career, Hillis conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. She also conducted many of the world's leading choral ensembles, including the Westminster Choir, the Robert Shaw Chorale, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Hillis received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1966, she became the first woman to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 1971, she was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which is given annually to a conductor who has made a significant contribution to American music. In 1985, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor given to artists and arts patrons by the United States government. Hillis continued to conduct and teach until her death on February 4, 1998, at the age of 76. Her legacy lives on through the many singers and conductors she trained and inspired, as well as through the recordings and performances of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and other ensembles she conducted. In conclusion, Margaret Hillis was a pioneering conductor and choral director who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Her meticulous attention to detail, innovative programming, and commitment to contemporary music set her apart as a visionary leader in the field. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence musicians and audiences around the world.

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