As a composer, percussionist, and conductor, William Kraft was a powerful shaper of contemporary music in Los Angeles. Kraft played percussion for the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 25 years, served as the orchestra's assistant conductor, and founded the Los Angeles Percussion Ensemble.
Kraft was born in Chicago on September 23, 1923, but grew up in San Diego. He served for three years in the U.S. Air Force at the end of World War II. Kraft attended Columbia University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1951 and a master's in 1954. His composition teachers included Jack Beeson, He...