Ross Lee Finney

Full biography Ross Lee Finney

Ross Lee Finney (1906-1997) was an American composer and teacher known for his innovative approach to composition and his contributions to modern music. He spent much of his career at the University of Michigan, where he taught composition and helped to establish the school's electronic music studio.

Finney was born in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania in 1906 and showed an early aptitude for music. He studied composition with Walter Piston at Harvard University and later with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. During his career, Finney composed music in a wide range of genres, including orchestral, chamber, choral, and electronic music.

One of Finney's most significant contributions to modern music was his exploration of atonality and serialism. He was one of the first American composers to experiment with these techniques, which were then still relatively new to the music world. Finney's pioneering work in this area helped to pave the way for other composers to explore similar techniques.

In addition to his work as a composer, Finney was also a respected teacher and scholar. He taught at the University of Michigan for many years and helped to establish the school's electronic music studio, which became one of the most important facilities of its kind in the world. Finney also wrote extensively about music and music education, and his articles and essays were widely published in academic journals.

Overall, Ross Lee Finney was a highly innovative and influential composer whose work helped to shape the course of modern music. His contributions to atonality and serialism, as well as his pioneering work in electronic music, continue to be recognized and celebrated today.