Daniel George Lewis (born 1924) is an American orchestral conductor and pedagogue. He is a University Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California (USC).
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Trained as a violinist, Lewis studied at the Claremont Graduate School (now Claremont Graduate University) and the Hochschule fuer Musik in Munich. He also spent time with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.[1]
He is best known for his tenure at the USC Thornton School of Music where he headed the orchestra and conducting programs for twenty-five years (1976–1995). In 1984, he became the first faculty member of the USC 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 New England Conservatory of Music; University of California, San Diego; California State University, Fullerton; and the Colburn School. He has also taught at the Conductors’ Institute (New York), 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.
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 Ojai Music Festival, Music Director of the Cabrillo Music Festival, and he has also served as 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 Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1974, and he has guest conducted that orchestra in more than 30 concerts at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Hollywood Bowl. He has also been a guest conductor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Louisville Symphony, as well as several other American and European ensembles.[1][2]
Daniel George Lewis has six children, all with Oneta G. Lewis: Daniel I. Lewis, Stephen J. Lewis, Lawrence D. Lewis, Ralph C. Lewis, Paul G. Lewis, and Denise M. Lewis. He has fifteen grandchildren (Daniel Gregory Lewis, Deborah M. Lewis, Gregory M. Lewis, Laura Lee Lewis, Jeffrey Lee Lewis, Marie Lewis, Michael Lewis, Steven Lewis, Kendall Lewis, Matthew Lewis, Jennifer Lewis, Bryan Lewis, Christopher Lewis, Jessica Lewis, and Rachel Marston) and seven great grandchildren (Amanda Fairchild, Matthew Fairchild, Terry Fairchild, Aleya Lewis, Milana Lewis, Kit Lewis, and Daniyal Lewis). All of Daniel's children and grandchildren graduated from college or are currently attending college.
He was married for many years to Oneta Gwendolyn Lewis (maiden name Belsha). Daniel had family in Flagstaff Arizona and Oneta had family in Phoenix Arizona, but Daniel and Oneta did not meet until both families moved to California. They met while attending high school at Grossmont High School in El Cajon California.
Daniel enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific. Daniel and Oneta were married during the war. After the war Daniel completed his education at San Diego State College. Daniel, Oneta, and their first-born son lived in Aztec Terrace at that time - housing for San Diego State College married students. The kitchen "refrigerator" at Aztec Terrace did not use electricity - the "ice man" had to make frequent deliveries of ice to keep the "refrigerator" cold.
Their oldest child, Daniel I. Lewis, was born in Los Angeles California during the war and their other five children were born after the war while they were living in San Diego California. Later, the family moved to Placentia California and then to Altadena and Pasadena California. The move to Placentia occurred when Daniel accepted a position at Fullerton State College and the moves to Altadena and Pasadena occurred when Daniel became a professor at USC.
Prior to accepting a position at Fullerton State College, Daniel taught music at Helix High School in La Mesa California. At Helix he taught both the orchestra and the marching band. The band won many awards in various competitions under Daniel's 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 California. In order to provide a better life for his large family in San Diego, Daniel often worked extra jobs at night. While teaching high school, Daniel would perform at night in various orchestras such as Starlight Opera and the San Diego ice show. From time to time he also taught violin to private students. This enabled the famiy to maintain a nice 2-story home in San Diego with a large yard and plenty of room for six children.
At one time, Daniel was Concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony.
Daniel enjoys hiking in the hills and mountains of Southern California. From time to time he would wear a "pith helmet" during his hikes to amuse his children.
During 1959-1960 he received a Fullbright Scholarship to study music in Munich Germany. His wife (Oneta) and his six children relocated to Munich for approximately 10 months at that time. They made a number of trips together throughout Bavaria and also visited Austria, Switzerland, and Italy.