Bob Dillon Composer

Robert Morris Dillon (aka Bob Dillon) MySpace page is maintained by Dr. Dillon's daughter, Nancy K. Dillon who was inspired by the example set by Eva Tree [www.myspace.com/evatree] and her father, Blake Parker [www.myspace.com/blakeandcompanytm].



Robert Morris Dillon's Bio:



Born in Downs, Kansas in 1922, Dillon there completed his elementary & secondary schooling. During his high school days, Dillon was a star basketball player, lettered in football and played in the high school band. In addition, his early love of jazz and big band music emerged in his written arrangements of jazz standards for the big band he formed with his cousins, Bud, John & Hugh Kreamer.



In 1940, he entered the University of Oklahoma as a music theory major. During three years taken off for military service (1943 - 1945), he served his country in the army under George Patton. He was with the US Infantry in the European Theatre during the famous Battle of the Bulge.



In May 1947, Dillon graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor's Degree in Music. Studies for the Masters Degree in Theory and Composition were completed at the University of Southern California in 1949 where he studied composition with Halsey Stevens. Following graduation, Dillon began his teaching career at the Fine Arts Conservatory in Los Angeles and then spent two years as instrumental director in the public schools of Gravette, Arkansas. During this period, his Violin Sonata won first prize in the nationwide contest sponsored by the Friends of Harvey Gaul, Pittsburgh, PA.



Dillon continued his dual roles of teacher and composer moving to Bethany, Oklahoma in 1951. His music has been performed on programs of contemporary music at numerous universities throughout the country and Dillon has a large catalog of published compositions. In addition to his teaching and composing activities, Dillon served as choir director for Northwest Presbyterian church in Oklahoma City for many years and played for 30 years in Oklahoma City's long-running jazz big band, The Al Good Orchestra.



In 1968, Dillon became Professor of Music at Central State College (now University of Central Oklahoma) and received his PhD in Music from the University of Oklahoma in 1976. Dillon retired from UCO in 1986 and moved to the Denver area at the end of 1999.



Professional organizations Dillon is or has been a member of include: Kappa Kappa Phi, The National Band Fraternity, The American School Band Directors Association, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Oklahoma Educators Association and Sigma Alpha Iota.