20 Facts About James DePreist

James Anderson DePreist was an American conductor.

James DePreist was one of the first African-American conductors on the world stage.

James DePreist was the director emeritus of conducting and orchestral studies at The Juilliard School and laureate music director of the Oregon Symphony at the time of his death.

James DePreist was in the 202nd Class at Central High School, Philadelphia, graduating in June, 1954.

James DePreist studied composition with Vincent Persichetti at the Philadelphia Conservatory while earning a bachelor's degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania in 1958.

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James DePreist made his highly acclaimed European debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic in 1969, then made appearances with other European orchestras in Amsterdam, Belgium, Berlin, Munich, Stockholm and Stuttgart.

In 1971, Antal Dorati named him associate conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D C In 1976, DePreist was appointed music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, a position he held until 1983.

In 1980, James DePreist was named music director of the Oregon Symphony, a position he held until 2003.

James DePreist was the symphony's ninth music director and was succeeded by Carlos Kalmar.

James DePreist served as artistic advisor to the Pasadena Symphony.

James DePreist made over 50 recordings, including a Shostakovich symphony cycle with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra as well as 15 recordings with the Oregon Symphony, with such works as Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No 2.

James DePreist was named the laureate music director for the Oregon Symphony.

James DePreist is a recipient of the Insignia of Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland, the Medal of the City of Quebec and an officer of the Order of Cultural Merit of Monaco.

James DePreist received the Ditson Conductor's Award in 2000 for his commitment to the performance of American music.

James DePreist conducted the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra to provide the music for both the anime and the live action drama.

In 1987, James DePreist, who had been high school friends with Bill Cosby, was commissioned to rearrange the theme song to The Cosby Show.

James DePreist appeared in the role of "Lucy's shrink" in the film, New Year's Day, directed by the conductor's longtime friend, Henry Jaglom.

James DePreist had two daughters, Tracy and Jennifer, from his first marriage to Betty Childress.

In 2012, James DePreist had a heart attack, from which he never fully recovered.

James DePreist published two books of poetry: The Precipice Garden and The Distant Siren .