born Aug. 4, 1910, New York, N.Y., U.S.
died Feb. 15, 1992, New York City
U.S. composer and administrator.
He wrote songs in high school with his friend Roy Harris . He achieved success with his American Festival Overture (1939), and his Secular Cantata No. 2: A Free Song won the first Pulitzer Prize for music (1943). His other works include ballets for Martha Graham , the popular New England Triptych (1956), and 10 symphonies. As president of the {{link=Juilliard School">Juilliard School (1945–62), he modernized its curriculum. As the first president of Lincoln Center (1962–68), he brought together several music organizations and established its Chamber Music Society and Mostly Mozart program.