Douglas Allanbrook

Douglas Allanbrook (April 1, 1921 – January 29, 2003) was an American composer, concert pianist and harpsichordist. He was associated with a group of mid-twentieth century Boston composers who were students of Nadia Boulanger. His compositions are described by the Kennedy Center as “smooth, showing astute sense, assertiveness, and originality.” Early life Allanbrook was born on April 1, 1921, in Melrose, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. He had one sister, Jean. Education After high school, Allanbrook studied at Boston University for one year. In 1939 he was hired as a music teacher at the Mary Wheeler finishing school, She heard some of Allanbrook’s music and immediately took him under her wing. When the war ended, he returned to Boston to enter Harvard University Although he taught part-time at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore he chose to stay at St. John’s for the duration of his teaching career. Allanbrook was on the faculty at St. John’s for 45 years, teaching music, math, philosophy, Greek, and French. He retired from the college in May 1986, he continued to teach and perform there until his death. For many years, he was a member of the board at the Yaddo artists colony