Our Founder

Donald Nichols Tweedy founded the Danbury Music Centre in 1935 with the intent of "serving the advancement of musical culture, the elevation of musical training and education for young people and adults in Danbury and vicinity. To provide for Danbury and vicinity, concerts and recitals of high artistic character".

Mr. Tweedy also served as the first conductor of the ensembles and was presenting concerts even before 1935. What is now known as the Danbury Concert Chorus was first established some time before 1921. In the early years of the organization, the Danbury Orchestral Society, now known as the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, was established.

Born in Danbury, Connecticut on April 23, 1890, Mr. Tweedy was a composer and educator. He was educated at Harvard University, where his teachers included William Heilman. E.B. Hill, and Walter Spalding. He later studied in Europe and in New York with American music theorist, Percy Goetschius.

Mr. Tweedy was a member of the faculties at Vassar College, The Eastman School of Music, Hamilton College, and Texas Christian University.

His Manual of Harmonic Technic based on the Practice of J.S. Bach was published in 1928.

His compositions include a ballet, Alice in Wonderland, orchestral works, sonata for violincello and piano, string quartets, a three-act musical comedy and several choral works.

Mr. Tweedy believed that to thrive, musical performance had to be a grass roots effort that is supported and encouraged by the community. The mission of the Danbury Music Centre still bears his vision.