Louis Mennini

Louis Alfred Mennini (November 18, 1920, Erie, Pennsylvania – February 22, 2000) was an American composer, music educator, and university administrator. Life and career Born in Erie, Pennsylvania on November 18, 1920, Mennini was the son of Amalia (née Benacci) and Attilio Mennini. His younger brother was the composer Peter Mennin. Both parents were passionate about music and supported the music education and development of their children. Louis began studies in piano and music theory at a young age, and produced his first music compositions at the age of nine. He graduated from Strong Vincent High School in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1939. Mennini began his professional studies in music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studied music composition with Normand Lockwood from 1939 through 1942. His education was interrupted by military service during World War II, and he served as a sergeant in the United States Air Force in England from 1942 through 1945. After the war, he studied music composition with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. He earned three degrees from that institution; a Bachelor of Music in 1947, a Ma