David R. Gillingham (born October 20th, 1947) is an American contemporary composer, who is known for his works for concert band and percussion ensembleHe attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh for his undergraduate degree in Music Education, after which he went to Vietnam where he served in the army, playing in various army bands. After returning to America, he became a band teacher for a few years, before going to Michigan State University for his PhD in Music Composition/Music Theory, after which he pursued a career as a composer while also serving as a university professor. In 1990, his concert band piece Heroes Lost and Fallen, a piece about the Vietnam War, won the International Barlow Composition Contest. He currently serves as professor of music theory and composition at Central Michigan University.

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