Name Homer Keller Role Composer | ||
 | ||
Died May 12, 1996, Upland, California, United States | ||
Education Eastman School of Music | ||
Homer T. Keller (b. Oxnard, California, February 17, 1915; d. May 12, 1996) was an American composer of contemporary classical music.
He graduated from Oxnard Union High School in Oxnard, California in 1933, after which he attended the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Howard Hanson, obtaining B.M. (1937) and M.M. (1938) degrees. In 1939 he was awarded US$500 in the 1939 Henry Hadley Foundation competition.
He taught at the University of Michigan (where his notable students included Leslie Bassett, George Balch Wilson, and Donald Harris) then at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon from 1958 to 1976. His notable students at the University of Oregon include Ralph Towner, Stephen Scott, Raymond Barker, David W. Maves, Ricky L. Callier, Robert Scott Thompson, Lawrence Crawford, Burt Levy, and Jim Cockey. Also at the University of Oregon, Keller worked with Jon Appleton to set up that university's electronic music studio.
While at the University of Michigan he also served on the Interlochen Music Camp staff where he helped and influenced many aspiring young musicians including notable Dwight Beckham in 1950.
His music has been conducted by William Strickland. It is published by the American Composers Alliance.
Keller's last residence was Montclair, California.
The Homer Keller Papers are held by the Eastman School of Music.