The purpose of this D.M.A. Essay is to highlight the legacy of duo-pianists, Bill and Pat Medley. To that end, this essay will explore: (a) the early biographical information of the Medleys (developing their musical talents in the Depression and World War II Era), (b) the Medleys' concert touring career, including a section on the logistics of travelling with their own concert grand pianos across the United States and Canada, (c) the Medleys' teaching career which included both secondary and pre-college levels, (d) a collection of comical stories learned through personal interviews with the Medleys that speak to their many years of concertizing, and (e) the Medleys' composing and arranging career, which includes a detailed overview of The Medley Way method book series published by The Hal Leonard Corporation and a detailed review and analysis of twenty-two of their educational solos, which were published by the Alfred Music Company, The FJH Music Company, and The Willis Music Company.
Bill Medley stated, "As I look back on our lives and the past sixty years, I see two teenagers striking out on a journey that would take them to unfathomable destinations. It would not be done alone, by any means, but with the help of many, many people..."
It is my hope that this essay will shed light on a career that has endured sixty plus years and counting. The Medleys' touring career allowed small town communities to experience the art of classical music, who otherwise would not have experienced such beauty. The Medleys' teaching career passed along a musical lineage from their teachers, including Pierre Luboshutz and Genia Nemenoff, along with a composing and arranging career that continues to serve as a pedagogical essence of quality to this day.