Daniel Lewis (conductor)

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Daniel George Lewis (May 10, 1925 – July 7, 2017) was an American orchestral conductor and University Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California (USC).

Education

Trained as a violinist, Lewis studied at the Claremont Graduate School (now

Hochschule fuer Musik in Munich. He also spent time with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.[1]

Academic positions

Daniel Lewis arrived at the USC Thornton School of Music in 1970. As director of conducting studies and head of the orchestral music program, he helped make the USC Symphony one of the most respected conservatory ensembles in the nation. He was head of the School of Music from 1976 to 1995. In 1984, he became the first faculty member of the School of Music to receive the title of University Professor.[1] Some notable quotes regarding his teaching style:

He has also held academic positions at the

Aspen School of Music, and many of the American Symphony Orchestra League's conducting workshops.[1][2]

In 1982, he served with Leonard Bernstein as artistic co-director of the first season of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, and remained on the faculty for many seasons thereafter.

Orchestral appointments and guest conducting

From 1971 to 1982, he was Music Director of the

Pasadena Symphony. Under Lewis' leadership, the orchestra became fully professional, winning critical acclaim and five ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) awards for adventuresome programming.[3]

He has twice served as Music Director of the

Cabrillo Music Festival, and musical advisor to the Glendale Symphony. He was Associate Conductor of the San Diego Symphony under Robert Shaw[1][2]

Lewis made his debut with the

Louisville Symphony, as well as several other American and European ensembles.[1][2]

Personal life

Lewis married Oneta Gwendolyn Belsha during World War II. They met while attending Grossmont High School in El Cajon, California. They had six children, fifteen grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Lewis enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific. After the war, he completed his education at

San Diego State College. Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Lewis taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa. Its band won many awards in various competitions under his leadership. In addition, he was the founding music director of the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, which rehearsed at the high school and provided an opportunity for very advanced high-school-aged musicians to perform with a group of their peers. He also taught at Grossmont College
in El Cajon.

In order to provide a better life for his large family in San Diego, Lewis often worked extra jobs at night. He would perform at night in various orchestras such as Starlight Opera and the San Diego ice show. From time to time he also taught

San Diego with a large yard and plenty of room for six children.[citation needed
]

At one time, Lewis was Concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony.[when?]

In 1959 Lewis received a

Munich, Germany
, where he and his family lived for about 10 months.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Shade, Christine E. (April 17, 1995). "The perfect cadence: After 25 years at the podium with the USC Symphony, director Daniel Lewis takes his final bow". USC Public Relations website. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Daniel Lewis". The Rowe Boat: Homepage of Yvonne and Norman Rowe. Retrieved May 25, 2008.
  3. ^ "About Pasadena Symphony Orchestra". Pasadena Symphony Orchestra MySpace page. Archived from the original on November 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-25.

External links

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