Jack Beeson

Jack Beeson (b. Muncie, July 15, 1921 – d. June 6, 2010, New York City) – Composer. Although he started piano lessons with Luella Weimer in Muncie at age seven, perhaps his most profound influence was listening to Saturday broadcasts of the MET. In fact, he used to purchase opera scores and accompany the performances that he listened to on a tiny radio. At about the same time—around age twelve—he began composing and was determined to write opera. His completed a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at Eastman, where he studied theory, composition, and orchestration with Howard Hanson. Instead of completing a doctorate, Beeson moved to New York City and studied composition briefly with Béla Bartók in 1944 and 1945. From 1945 to 1988, Beeson was on faculty at Columbia University, where he was at various times the MacDowell Professor and department chair. Although he is best known as a composer of opera—ten total including Hello Out There (1953) and Lizzie Borden (1965)—he published over 100 works with Boosey and Hawkes. While the bulk of his output is vocal, he also wrote many pieces for solo piano, chamber ensemble, orchestra, and concert band. Lastly, his former students include many highly acclaimed composers, such as Charles Wuorinen, Joan Tower, Harvey Sollberger, and Richard Einhorn.