Norman Luboff

Norman Luboff was a transformative figure in American musical landscape, whose innovative approach to choral music and broadcasting reshaped the sonic experience of mid-20th century entertainment. A versatile choir director, arranger, and music publisher, Luboff's career spanned radio, film, and recording, making him a quintessential musical polymath of his era.

Early Musical Foundations

Born on May 14, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, Norman Luboff emerged from a working-class family with a deep appreciation for music. His musical journey began at home, where group singing was a cherished family tradition. As a young man, Luboff took piano lessons and actively participated in his school's choir and orchestra, laying the groundwork for his future musical career. Luboff's formal musical education was marked by determination and opportunity. He won a scholarship to a music program, graduating with a bachelor's degree in music in 1939. During this period, he supplemented his education through creative means, sometimes auditing classes when tuition became challenging. To make ends meet, he took various singing jobs, including working as a caroler at a department store and performing in a radio quartet.

Radio and Hollywood: A Multifaceted Musical Career

Luboff's professional breakthrough came in New York City after his military service during World War II. With help from a friend, he secured an audition that launched his career in radio. By 1945, he had transitioned from singing to becoming a full-time choral director, writing arrangements for various radio programs. In 1948, Luboff moved to Los Angeles, becoming the choral director for a new radio program. This opportunity opened doors to Hollywood, where he began arranging and conducting choirs for films. Over his career, he worked on more than 80 motion pictures, providing vocal arrangements and coaching actors like Grace Kelly in The Country Girl (1954).

The Norman Luboff Choir: A Musical Institution

The pinnacle of Luboff's career was the formation of The Norman Luboff Choir. Beginning with a 7" EP of Christmas Carols in 1952, the choir quickly became a musical phenomenon. They recorded dozens of albums and became a staple of Columbia Records, accompanying major artists like Doris Day and contributing to landmark recordings. Luboff's choir was not just a musical group but a professional ensemble. By 1963, they had assembled a touring choir of 20-30 virtuoso singers who performed over a hundred shows annually. In 1960, Luboff won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus for Songs of the Cowboy, a remarkable achievement that highlighted the choir's exceptional quality.

Legacy and Musical Publishing

Beyond performance, Luboff was a prolific composer and music publisher. He claimed to have composed over 6,000 arrangements during his career and founded Walton Music in the 1950s, which became an important outlet for domestic and international choral compositions. In 1965, he published Songs of Man: The International Book of Folk Songs, a comprehensive anthology that showcased his commitment to musical diversity. Even as recording opportunities declined in the late 1960s, Luboff remained in demand as a guest conductor and educator, particularly in Scandinavian countries.

Personal Life and Final Years

Luboff's personal life was as rich and varied as his musical career. He was married twice, first to Betty Mulliner, a fellow singer, and later to Gunilla Marcus, a Swedish television producer. In 1985, they moved to a rural location where Luboff spent his final years. He passed away on September 22, 1987, after battling lung cancer, with his ashes taken to Sweden. Norman Luboff's contributions to American musical culture extend far beyond his lifetime. He transformed choral music, bridging popular entertainment with sophisticated musical arrangement, and left an indelible mark on mid-20th century soundscapes.

Works and Appearances

Radio

• Various radio programs (1943-1948)
• Backup choral director for multiple shows

Film

• Vocal arrangements for over 80 motion pictures (1951-1960s)
• Vocal coach for actors in films like The Country Girl

Recordings with Norman Luboff Choir

• Christmas Carols (1952)
• Songs of the Cowboy (1960) - Grammy Award Winner
• This Is Norman Luboff! (1961)
• Christmas with the Norman Luboff Choir (1964)

Publications

• Songs of Man: The International Book of Folk Songs (1965)

Awards

• Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus (1960)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1960)