Before coming to Rochester, violinist, conductor, and composer Paul White (1895-1973) had already studied with some of the virtuosi of his era: George Chadwick and Eugene Ysaÿe. White attracted the attention of George Eastman, and accepted his invitation to perform with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He also wanted to study conducting with Eugene Goossens at the Eastman School of Music. In 1928 he was invited to join the Eastman faculty, and remained for the next 37 years. He initially taught violin, but soon became professor of ensembles, for which he is best remembered. From 1929 to 1953 he was assistant conductor of the Rochester Civic Orchestra, which brought music outside the concert hall by performing in high schools. He became the orchestra’s conductor in 1953, a position he held until his 1965 retirement. White taught two generations of Eastman students, performed as second violin in the Kilbourn String Quartet, and appeared as guest conductor with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic. He also composed more than a dozen works. The Boston Pops recorded his Five Miniatures for Orchestra for the RCA Victor label.
Eastman School of Music
