Donald Coakley

Donald Coakley studied at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York in Potsdam, New York, the School of Music at Temple University and the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. While studying at the Conservatory, he was a composition student of Vincent Persichetti and studied trombone with Henry Charles Smith, principal trombone of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Following graduate school, he taught at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia, and also served as conductor of the Camden Choral Arts Society in Camden, New Jersey. After a successful tenure at Cardinal Dougherty, Coakley joined the faculty of the School of Music at Temple University.

In the early 1970s, Coakley was invited to join the Music Department of the Scarborough School System, becoming Assistant Coordinator of Music shortly thereafter. As such, he was responsible for the elementary instrumental music program in the school system. He also headed the instrumental wing at the Scarborough Music Camps. In 1970 he founded the Scarborough Schools Symphony Orchestra and subsequently oversaw the inception of four other All-City instrumental ensembles.

Donald Coakley has written successfully for school, university and professional groups. He is a member of the Canadian League of Composers, as well as an Associate Composer with the Canadian Music Centre. In 1977, Coakley received the Distinguished Service to Education Award from the State University of New York; and in 1994 he received the Anson Taylor Award for excellence in teaching from the Scarborough Board of Education.

GRAND PROCESSION Flute and Clarinet duet
PRISMS Unaccompanied Clarinet
IMAGES Unaccompanied Saxophone
THREE BAGATELLES Trumpet and Piano
TRILOGY Trumpet, Horn & Piano
CELEBRATION Brass Choir
SONICS Concert Band
CANTOS Concert Band
CELEBRATION Concert Band
DONKEY RIDING Concert Band
JUBILANT DIALOGUE Concert Band
GENTLE CLOUDS ROLL BY Concert Band
ELEGIAC MOTIVES Concert Band
LYRIC ESSAY Concert Band
TOCCATA FESTIVA Concert Band
BREAK OUT Concert Band
THE GARNET AND GOLD Concert Band
PRELUDE ON A FESTIVE HYMN TUNE Concert Band
DIVERTIMENTO Violins and Cello