Howard H. Hanson was born October 28th, 1896

Dr. Howard Hanson received the next “Man of Music” award at the 1954 National Convention. Hanson was initiated as a collegiate member of Phi Mu Alpha at the Iota chapter at Northwestern University in 1916. Hanson was also a charter member of the Alpha Nu chapter at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in 1925. Five years later he became a National Honorary member of the fraternity. Hanson became the director of the Eastman School of Music in 1924, transforming the school into one of the most prestigious music schools in the country. He brought in better teachers, improved the curriculum and refined the schools ensembles. He served as guest conductor of most major American and Germanic symphonies in addition to be a champion of American composition. While at Eastman, he premiered over 2000 works by over 500 American composers.

Aaron Copland was born November 14th, 1900.

Aaron Copland received the “Man of Music” Award in 1970. Copland had a prolific career as a composer, being deemed “the Dean of American Composers.” He served as the head of the composition department at Berkshire Music Center from 1940 to 1965. In 1957, he was made chairman of the faculty. An alumnus of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Arizona, Copland created a vast portfolio of music that many consider to be standards in American music. His pieces “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “Lincoln Portrait”, “Rodeo” and “Appalachian Spring” are all standards in describing the American attitude. In addition to his pieces, Copland didn’t stray from promoting other American composers and their music. He was instrumental in bringing performances of new American works and their composers by supporting the Copland-Sessions Concerts in New York, the American Festival of Contemporary Music and the American Composers Alliance.