FORMER MUSIC SCHOOL DEAN L. DAVID MILLER
TO BE HONORED WITH CANTICUM NOVUM AWARD
TO BE HONORED WITH CANTICUM NOVUM AWARD
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio---L. David Miller, who was credited with putting Wittenberg University's music program on the map as dean of the school of music in the 1960s and 1970s will be honored on Tuesday, Feb. 9 with the Canticum Novum Award.
Canticum Novum, which means "new song" in Latin, is given to musicians who have been creative and productive in the advancement of new music through composition, performance or outstanding leadership.
The award will be presented as part of a concert by Wittenberg graduate and computer music pioneer John Chowning.
The Canticum Novum award was first presented in 1967 and there have been only 10 recipients, with the last coming in 1979. Chowning was presented the award in 1978.
During Miller's tenure at Wittenberg, which spanned 1955 to 1978, the School of Music became one of the top programs among small colleges in the nation. At its height, the School of Music had more than 175 majors.
"I am quite honored to receive this award, reflecting on my quarter century at Wittenberg University," Miller said. "The best years of my professional life were spent at Wittenberg."
"I am thrilled and proud to be back and am happy to see the growth and development of the department of music at Wittenberg," he added.
The academic program under Miller's leadership expanded to include diverse traditions including the African-American tradition and the music of the Orient and India as well as liturgical and western traditions.
Miller was also credited with spearheading the effort to design and build Kreig Hall which has been the home of Wittenberg music since its completion in 1967. Miller was also chiefly responsible for raising funds for several of the pianos and organs still in use.
In addition Wittenberg's Choir, first under Miller's direction and followed by John Williams, received international acclaim, taking its music all over the world.
Miller was director of the choir from 1961-72, when Wittenberg singers logged 67,500 miles, giving concerts in 29 countries and five continents.
Another highlight of Miller's career was being elected as president of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, which was headquartered for several years on Wittenberg's campus. It later moved to Southern Methodist University and is now at Yale University.
Miller's late wife, Ann, was also a key member of the Wittenberg community and the Ann Miller Gallery located in Koch Hall is named for her. She was executive director of the Wittenberg Guild from its inception in 1959 until failing health forced her to resign the position in 1976.
Miller, who has never remarried, admitted that his wife's death in 1977 was a big reason for his decision to leave Wittenberg. "We were a team. We went out together and talked to various constituencies. I would not have achieved what I did at Wittenberg without my wife," he said. After leaving Wittenberg Miller became professor of sacred music at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C.
Miller is a graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College where he also received an honorary doctorate in music. He received his master of divinity from Lutheran Southern Seminary and master of sacred music from Union Theological Seminary.
