Daniel, Oliver (1911-1990) | University of Illinois Archives

Oliver Daniel (1911-1990) was and American concert pianist, music journalist, and manager for the American Composers Alliance. Daniel was born in De Pere, Wisconsin. He earned a degree in music performance from St. Norbert College. He earned a masters degree from the New England Conservatory, making his performance debut in 1935. Daniel was hired to teach piano at the Boston Conservatory from 1936 to 1938. He was then hired at Marot College in Connecticut, he would serve in this position until 1942. At that time, he became the musical director of the education department at CBS radio's national headquarters. He was responsible for producing broadcasts of the New York Philharmonic; pioneering programs like the 20th-Century Concert Hall and CBS School of the Air; and collaborating with Leopold Stokowski for his programs, the Music Room and New Voices in Song. He would remain at this role until 1954. 

Following this, he became the coordinating manager for the American Composers Alliance. He then served as director of contemporary music projects with the Associated Music Publishers. In 1954, he also co-founded Composer Recordings, Inc. with Otto Luening and Douglas Moore. It is through this role that he met composer Harry Partch. From 1966 to 1978, he served on the board of directors at the American Music Center and from 1973 to 1983 he served on the board at the Charles Ives Society.