Robert Whitney (conductor)

Robert Sutton Whitney (July 6, 1904 – November 22, 1986)[1][2] was an American conductor and composer. He was a student of Leo Sowerby.[3]

Robert Whitney was best known for founding, on November 1937, together with the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky the Louisville Orchestra, and becoming its first conductor, a post he held until 1967.[4] (Its original name was the Louisville Civic Orchestra.) His concerto grosso had earlier (1934) been performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.[1]

Whitney also served as Dean of the School of Music of the University of Louisville, from 1956-1971.[4]

He was a National Patron of Delta Omicron, an international professional music fraternity.[5]

Whitney Hall, the largest performance venue in The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts is named for him.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "WorldCat Identities Page for Robert Sutton Whitney". Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  2. ↑ "Louisville Orchestra Founder, Conductor Robert Whitney Dies". Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, KY). 23 November 1986. p. D7.
  3. ↑ "Cedille Records Notes". Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cox, Dwayne; Morison, William James (2000). The University of Louisville at Google Books. University Press of Kentucky. p. 119. ISBN 0-8131-2142-6.
  5. ↑ Delta Omicron