Rex Mitchell

From Wind Repertory Project
Rex Mitchell

Biography

Rex Mitchell (28 September 1929, Pittsburgh, Pa. – 5 March 2011, Franklin, Pa.) was an American composer.

Dr. Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College, his master’s of education from Kent State University, and his doctorate in music education from Penn State University. For 14 years, he taught instrumental music in Ohio public schools in Parma, Stow and Canton. In 1966, he accepted a position as woodwind specialist and teacher of music education, composition, conducting, orchestration and courses in jazz studies. As an educator, Dr. Mitchell held the title of Professor of Music Education Emeritus of Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He founded the Clarion University Lab Jazz Band and the Venango Chorus, which he directed until his retirement from the university in 1989.

In 2002, Dr. Mitchell was chosen to conduct the annual Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Band at the Kirby Center in Philadelphia. He directed the popular outdoor summer jazz concerts in Justus Park in home town of Oil City, Pennsylvania, each year (beginning in the early 1980s) as a featured event celebrating Oil Heritage Days. He was a lifelong member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association as well as Phi Beta Mu, a distinguished honorary bandmaster’s fraternity, and he received the coveted Distinguished Faculty Award by the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association.


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources