Roy Douglas

Roy Douglas was an English composer, arranger, and orchestrator who worked extensively in the realm of classical music. Born on December 12, 1907, he had a long and varied career that spanned several decades. Douglas is perhaps best known for his collaborations with other composers, most notably Ralph Vaughan Williams, for whom he acted as an assistant. He helped Vaughan Williams with orchestration and also prepared piano reductions of his symphonies. In addition to his work with Vaughan Williams, Roy Douglas composed his own music, which included works for orchestra and chamber ensembles. His style was influenced by the English pastoral tradition, and he contributed to the genre of English string miniatures. Douglas's career also involved teaching and writing about music theory and composition. He passed away on March 23, 2015, at the age of 107, leaving behind a legacy as a supportive force in British classical music and as a composer in his own right.