Leroy Anderson

The music of Leroy Anderson is firmly entrenched in American popular culture and is enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world.  His music continues to be extensively recorded and performed by a wide range of musicians.  Among them are symphony orchestras, concert and marching bands, classical and jazz ensembles, vocalists of many styles, virtuosi of almost every instrument as well as music students of all ages.

Anderson's music is frequently used to entertain visiting dignitaries at the White House as well as to greet U.S. Presidents when visiting foreign countries.  Its use by radio and television as background music for commercials and theme music for many programs ensures Anderson's music remains familiar with each new generation.  More than 50 years after Anderson wrote many of his compositions, in the words of John Williams, composer and laureate conductor of the Boston Pops - "Anderson's music remains as young and fresh as the very day on which it was composed."

Forty-seven years after Leroy Anderson's death, his music has taken on a timeless quality. "It's hard to imagine that someone actually wrote Sleigh Ride," remarked one listener. "It's as though it came from the ether. Sleigh Ride is one of those pieces of music that seems as though it has always been around; just another wonderful part of everyday life."  It is safe to say that somewhere in the world someone is either performing or listening to Leroy Anderson's music every moment of every day.

Anderson sensed during his later years that the music he wrote had achieved an identity and a popularity that surpassed his own fame as the composer.  At the time he was probably right.  In recent years however, the awareness of Leroy Anderson has increased dramatically.  This is due in part to new recordings of his music, re-releases of Anderson's original recordings on compact disc, numerous concerts of his works, a PBS video about him broadcast to millions each year since 1999, a book about the composer, and to this website.