ROBERT KELLY was born in 1916 in Clarksburg, WV and died in 2008. He began violin at an early age and later majored in violin at The Juilliard School of Music under Samuel Gardner. He studied composition with Rosario Scalero at The Curtis Institute of Music where he received a BM in Composition. Much later he continued studies with Herbert Elwell at The Eastman School of Music where he received his MM in Composition.

From 1946 through 1976 he was Professor of Composition and Theory at the University of Illinois School of Music in Urbana. Works composed during this period include his MINIATURE SYMPHONY (Symphony No. 1) premiered by the Austin Symphony, Ezra Rachlin, conductor, and later performed with Rafael Kubelik conducting on a University of Illinois Contemporary Arts Festival. George Szell also conducted the symphony with the Cleveland Orchestra. Kelly's SYMPHONY NO. 2 was premiered in Tokyo by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Akeo Watanabe conducting. The EMANCIPATION SYMPHONY (Symphony No. 3) was premiered in Washington DC by the National Symphony in 1963, the 100th Anniversary Year of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Kelly received NEA commissions for CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA and CONCERTO FOR VIOLA AND ORCHESTRA.

last updated March 29, 2020
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