Age, Biography and Wiki

Margaret Hillis was born on 1 October, 1921 in Kokomo, Indiana, U.S., is an American conductor. Discover Margaret Hillis's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 76 years old?

Popular As Margaret Hillis
Occupation Orchestral conductor, choral conductor, educator
Age 76 years old
Zodiac Sign Libra
Born 1 October 1921
Birthday 1 October
Birthplace Kokomo, Indiana, U.S.
Date of death 5 February, 1998
Died Place Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 1 October. She is a member of famous conductor with the age 76 years old group.

Margaret Hillis Height, Weight & Measurements

At 76 years old, Margaret Hillis height not available right now. We will update Margaret Hillis's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

She is currently single. She is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about She's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, She has no children.

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Margaret Hillis Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Margaret Hillis worth at the age of 76 years old? Margaret Hillis’s income source is mostly from being a successful conductor. She is from United States. We have estimated Margaret Hillis's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
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Source of Income conductor

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Timeline

1921

Margaret Eleanor Hillis (October 1, 1921, Kokomo, Indiana – February 5, 1998, Evanston, Illinois) was an American conductor.

She was the founder and first director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus.

Hillis was born in Kokomo, Indiana, in 1921.

She began to study the piano at the age of five and continued with several other instruments, including woodwinds, brass, and double bass.

She made her conducting debut, while still a student, as assistant conductor of her high school orchestra.

1947

After suspending her studies for two years during World War II to become a civilian flight instructor in Muncie, Indiana, Hillis received a bachelor of music degree in composition from Indiana University in 1947 and later studied conducting privately with Julius Herford and with Robert Shaw at the Juilliard School.

She later became assistant conductor of Shaw's Collegiate Chorale.

1950

In 1950, Hillis founded the Tanglewood Alumni Chorus,

which later performed as the New York Concert Choir and Orchestra.

She also worked as a choral conductor for the New York City Opera and the American Opera Society.

During her years in New York she taught choral conducting at the Juilliard School and Union Theological Seminary.

1957

On September 22, 1957, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announced that Margaret Hillis, at Music Director Fritz Reiner's invitation, would organize and train a symphony chorus.

Hillis was also the first woman to conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, first on a special concert in November 1957 and later on subscription concerts in December 1958, leading the orchestra and chorus in Honegger's Christmas Cantata.

1958

Auditions began two weeks later, and on March 13 and 14, 1958, the Chicago Symphony Chorus made its subscription concert debut performing Mozart's Requiem with Bruno Walter conducting.

A few weeks later, Reiner himself led the Chorus for the first time in performances of Verdi's Requiem.

1968

From 1968 through to the time of her death in 1998, she lived at 929 Sheridan Road in Wilmette IL.

At her home, she would from time to time conduct small group practices and hold informal ensemble performances in her spacious living room for friends and acquaintances.

Prior to her death, Hillis bequeathed her personal collection of scores, books, and other memorabilia to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Rosenthal Archives.

Included are numerous sound recordings as well as scores and parts bearing her personal markings and analyses, Grammy Awards and other certificates and mementos, photographs, and personal papers and correspondence.

1970

From 1970–1977 she was Director of Choral Activities at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Hillis was also founder and music director of the American Choral Foundation (now Chorus America), an organization that sought to raise the standards of choral performance.

Starting in the late 1970s, she worked actively as a guest conductor, leading performances of the National, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Saint Paul, Baltimore, Minnesota, Columbus, Peoria, San Antonio, Spokane, and Oregon symphony orchestras; the New York Choral Society; the Los Angeles Master Chorale; the Gloria Dei Cantores; and the Santa Fe Opera.

Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance

1971

Margaret Hillis was an older sister to Elwood "Bud" Hillis, who served as Representative to the United States Congress from Kokomo, Indiana for eight terms (1971–1987).

1977

Hillis captured nationwide attention on October 31, 1977, when she substituted on short notice for the ailing Sir Georg Solti, conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in a performance of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8 in New York's Carnegie Hall.

Under Hillis's leadership, the Chicago Symphony Chorus performed and recorded many of the major works in the choral symphonic repertoire, gave important world premieres, appeared with visiting orchestras, and was part of many noteworthy milestones in the CSO's history.

Hillis won nine Grammy Awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for best choral performance.

She also worked with community and regional orchestras, and was director for several years of the Kenosha Civic and the Elgin Symphony Orchestras.

Hillis regularly conducted the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

1992

In 1992, Hillis conducted the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra and Choir as part of the Mozart Bicentennial Celebration in Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, New York.