Gregson is also a noted conductor of contemporary music. Musik in Berlin where he studied with Paul Hindemith from 1929 until 1933. In 1935 he came to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan. He received his M.A. degree in Musicology from Cornell University in 1946. In the same year Heiden joined the faculty of Indiana University School of Music where he served as Professor of Music and longtime chair of the composition department until his retirement in 1981.
Diversion is delightful music with tuneful, beautifully expressive melodies.
The scoring is wonderfully transparent allowing the audience to easily enjoy the musical interplay between the soloist and band. To Be Simple. This melody was first used by Copland in his ballet Appalachian Spring. It was later included in his first volume of Old American Songs for voice and piano. And when we find ourselves in the place just right 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.