Overview

• HR said McNeely died on Sept. 26 in New York, and a spokesperson noted his widow informed the broadcaster.
• The Chicago-born composer and arranger led the HR-Bigband as chief conductor from 2011 to 2022.
• He continued with the ensemble for two years as Composer-in-Residence and was named its first honorary conductor in 2024.
• HR music chief Michael Traub praised McNeely for turning artistic vision into compelling music and highlighted his generous character.
• McNeely earned twelve Grammy nominations, including one with the HR-Bigband, and maintained an international career that connected him closely to Frankfurt.