John Corley
Founding director and conductor of the MIT Concert Band, 1949-1999
Conductor, trumpet player
John D. Corley (1919-2000) was founding Director and Conductor of the MIT Concert Band from 1948 to 1999, and conductor of the MIT Symphony Orchestra from 1955 to 1965. He was a leader among conductors dedicated to performing music originally written for the concert band, giving Boston premieres of works by Copland, Hindemith, Schoenberg, and others. A strong advocate for contemporary composers, over 50 new works were commissioned by him for the MIT Concert Band. He had been a member of the Boston Brass Quartet, and was an active freelance trumpet player. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army as Band Leader in Iceland. From 1973 to 1980, he conducted the Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble, and was Director of Music for the Brookline Massachusetts Public Schools from 1956 to 1973. He also founded and directed the Boston Brass Ensemble.
Assisting with interview, 12/10/1999:
Frederick Harris, Jr. has been the Music Director of the MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble and the MIT Wind Ensemble since fall of 1999. He was a student of noted jazz drummer Alan Dawson. Herb Pomeroy was guest conductor of the FJE in 2000, 2003 and 2005. Beginning in 2008, the band has held an annual Herb Pomeroy memorial concert.
