A descendent of three generations of Italian organists, Norman Dello Joio grew up in New York City surrounded by musicians and music in his home. He began working as a church organist and choirmaster at the age of 12 and later studied at Juilliard, Tanglewood and the Yale School of Music. Besides teaching, he is a prolific composer, with works for chorus, orchestra and band, along with many solo pieces. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1957 and an Emmy Award for The Louvre in 1965.