Ralph Guenther Papers

A noted flutist and composer, Ralph Guenther was born on November 24, 1914 in Concordia, Missouri to William and Ida Nell Guenther. After graduating from Central Methodist University, he earned his Master's Degree and Performers Certificate in Flute from the Eastman School of Music in 1938.  He went on to teach in public schools in Missouri. There he met his future wife, Lavonne, and married in 1940. Ralph enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II and served as a Marine Officer in the Pacific, including campaigns in Okinawa and the Philippines. After being discharged from the service Ralph returned to the Eastman School of Music for his doctoral studies. He received his Ph.D. in 1948 and accepted a position as Professor of Flute and Theory and Composition at Texas Christian University where he taught for the next 32 years. During his tenure at TCU and continuing into retirement, he composed and published hundreds of works for the flute and many other compositions for choir, chamber groups, band and orchestra. He was also an active performer and conductor, serving as Principal Flute for the Fort Worth Symphony and Fort Worth Opera and conducting the Texas Christian University Orchestra and the Fort Worth All-City High School Orchestra. He and Lavonne, a pianist, gave many recital performances together. He retired to Seattle in 1987 and died there on February 28, 2007 at the age of 92.

In 1973, Guenther composed Celebration for the TCU Centennial Symphony Orchestra, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the founding of Texas Christian University.