Background
Peters, Gordon Benes was born on January 4, 1931 in Oak Park, Illinois, United States. Son of Arthur George and Julia Anne (Benes) Peters.
Peters, Gordon Benes was born on January 4, 1931 in Oak Park, Illinois, United States. Son of Arthur George and Julia Anne (Benes) Peters.
Student, Northwestern University, 1950. Studied with Pierre Monteux, 1952—1963. Bachelor of Music, Eastman School Music, 1956.
Master of Music, Eastman School Music, 1962.
Founder, director Marimba Masters, 1954—1959. Percussionist Rochester (New York ) Philharmonic Orchestra, 1954—1959. Principal percussionist, assistant timpanist Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Chicago, 1954—1958.
Member faculty Rochester Board Education, 1956-1957, Geneseo State Teachers College, 1957-1958. Acting principal percussionist Rochester Philharmonic, New York, 1958-1959. Principal percussionist and associate principal timpanist Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 1959—2001.
Conductor, administrator Civic Orchestra Chicago, 1966-1987. Conductor Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, 1968-1973. Instructor percussion instruments Northwestern University, 1963-1968, lecturer, 1991.
Guest conductor Bangor Symphony, Maine, 1993. Lecturer Winthrop University, South Carolina, 2006.
Board directors Pierre Monteux School, Hancock, Maine, 1965-1995. With United States Military Academy Band, 1950-1953. Member Percussive Arts Society (president 1964-1967, board directors Hall of Fame 2004), American Symphony Orchestra League, Conductors Guild (treasurer, executive committee 1979-1982, 86-90), Japan Xylophone Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (life).
Children: Rénee Kemper, Erica Kemper.