Aaron Copland

Aaron Copland was an influential American composer, critic, and conductor. Born on November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn, New York, he was the youngest of five children and developed a distinctive musical style that embodied the American spirit. Known as the 'Dean of American Composers,' Copland's music often evoked the vast American landscape and pioneer spirit. His most famous works include Appalachian Spring, Billy the Kid, Rodeo, and Fanfare for the Common Man. He was a pivotal figure in promoting American music globally and composed scores for ballet, opera, and film. Copland educated himself in Paris with Nadia Boulanger and returned to the U.S. to make a significant impact on the nation's music, shifting his composing style in the 1930s to be more accessible to the general public. In his later years, he transitioned from composing to conducting and fostered talent as a teacher and supporter of new music.