Leroy Anderson was born on June 29, 1908 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His parents immigrated to the United States from Sweden as children with their families. His father, Bror Anton Anderson, worked as a postal clerk at the Central Square Post Office. He also played the mandolin. His mother Anna Margareta Anderson was an organist at the Swedish Church in Cambridge. He lived in the suburbs of Boston for twenty-seven years with his parents and brother. Anderson had a very solid musical education. At age eleven, he began piano lessons and musical studies at the New England Conservatory of Music in Cambridge. Upon his high school graduation from Cambridge High and Latin School, Anderson composed, orchestrated and conducted his class song. In 1925, he entered Harvard College. At Harvard he studied musical harmony with Walter Spalding, counterpoint with Edward Ballantine, canon and fugue with William C. Heilman, and orchestration with Edward B. Hill and Walter Piston. Between 1926 and 1929 he played trombone for the Harvard University Band. He eventually became director of the Harvard University Band for four years. In 1929, Anderson received a BA magna cum laude in music from Harvard. Magna cum laude is the second highest honor among three special honors awarded for above-average grades. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Anderson continued his graduate studies at Harvard. In 1930, he obtained a master's degree with specialization in music. He began to study composition with Walter Piston and Georges Enesco; organ with Henry Gideon and double bass with Gaston Dufresne of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his music studies, he pursued his doctorate in German and Scandinavian languages. He finally mastered Danish, Norwegian, Icel...... middle of paper ......ope, to introduce his children to the many Scandinavian countries. He introduced them to the languages ​​and cultures he learned during his studies. Upon his return, he guest conducted the New Haven, New Britain, and Hartford Symphonies. He also served on the boards of the New Haven and Hartford Symphonies. Anderson served as director of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. In 1971, he returned to Cambridge, Massachusetts to conduct the Cambridge High and Latin School orchestra, where he played as a child. For his many years of hard work with the Boston Pops Orchestra, they honored him in a concert broadcast across the country. He appeared at the concert, where he was invited to lead his own songs. He continued to arrange and conduct music throughout the country for the rest of his life. Leroy Anderson died on May 18, 1975 in Woodbury, Connecticut..