Herbert owen reed biography of william

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Herbert Owen Reed (June 17, – January 6, ) was an American composer, conductor, and author.

Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web. Herbert Owen Reed was born June 17, in Odessa, Missouri, where he grew up influenced by his parents' musical talents: his father played the fiddle, and his mother the piano. He began formal music studies at the University of Missouri School of Music in , but transferred to Louisiana State University in , earning his Bachelor and Master of Music in and , respectively.

He then received a Ph. That same year he began his tenure as a professor of music theory and composition at the Michigan State University College of Music, where he remained until his retirement in During this time, he served as a mentor to numerous future composers and musicians.

Reed came to write La Fiesta Mexicana after receiving a Guggenheim Fellowship for study in Mexico for six months in While there, he heard Mexican music from the Missing: william.

After retirement, he continued to compose music, guest conduct, teach and perform, maintaining a strong connection to Michigan State University and founding and performing with the faculty jazz ensemble "The Geriatric Six. Throughout his life, Reed composed and published works for orchestra, band, voices, opera and chamber music, and wrote eight books on music theory and composition.

His best-known work, "La Fiesta Mexicana" resulted from his study of folk music in Mexico for a period of six months from to His interest in American fiddle music, inspired by his father's skills as a fiddler, led him to collect and transpose various American fiddle tunes. In addition to his work as a composer, Reed studied and played piano and trumpet.

He died January 6, Prior to his death, he began to deposit his published works and papers at Michigan State University, which is the primary repository for his papers see Related Archival Materials. The H. Owen Reed papers consists of biographical materials, correspondence and music compositions created or collected by Reed and primarily provide insight into his work as a composer, conductor, and music educator.