Gideon Waldrop

American music educator, conductor, and composer Gideon Waldrop (1919–2000) was born in Texas. He started his career as a conductor of the orchestra in his native city, and then he worked as a publisher and editor of musical magazines. In 1961, he became assistant to the president and then dean (1963-85) of the Juilliard School in New York. From 1986 until 1989, he was the president of the Manhattan School. During the last three decades of the 20th century, he has gained international reputation - both as musician-pedagogue and as musical and public figure. His symphonic, chamber-instrumental and vocal works are performed frequently.