Walter Damrosch

He was the first composer-conductor to be actively involved in introducing children to classical music - on radio in the 1930s. His approach has been criticized in recent years, however; often he would write and sing silly lyrics that he would fit to well-known classical pieces, in an effort to help children remember them.

In 1895 he organized the damrosch Grand opera Company, became staff conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in 1900, and reorganized the New York Symphony in 1903, which he continued to direct until 1927. During that year, he became a music counsel for NBC, and conducted a series of broadcasts.

Succeeding his father as Wagnerian director for the Metropolitan Opera (1885-1891), he also conducted the New York Symphony and the Oratorio Society of New York, and produced a series of Wagner operas at Carnegie Hall in 1893-1894.

Legendary conductor, composer, author, producer, pianist and educator who arrived in the USA in 1871. He was educated in New York public schools and studied music with his father Leopold Damrosch, Rischbeiter, Urspruch, and Von Bulow. He was awarded honorary degrees from New York University, Princeton University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, New York State University, and Washington & Jefferson College. He was accompanist to August Wilhelmj on his US tour, and permanent conductor of the Newark Harmonic Society.