Meredith Willson

Meredith Willson (born 18 May 1902, Mason City, Iowa, USA – died 15 June 1984, Santa Monica, California, USA) was an American composer, songwriter, conductor and playwright. Willson played the flute and piccolo and was a member of John Philip Sousa’s famous band from 1921 to 1923. He then joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1924 to 1929.