Donald Voorhees, a pioneering figure in popularizing classical music through radio and television, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 1903. A founding conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, he helped bring classical music into American homes as conductor of The Bell Telephone Hour. He was elected to The Lambs in 1932.
Voorhees began studying music at age five after moving to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He later returned to Allentown, where he was raised by his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Nagle. He studied under Dr. J. Fred Wolle, founder of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. A prodigy, he was an organist and choirmaster by 11, a theater pianist at 12, and conducting the Lyric Orchestra by 15.
After graduating from Allentown High School, Voorhees made his Broadway debut conducting “Broadway Brevities of 1920” at the Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway), starring fellow Lamb Eddie Cantor. Throughout the 1920s, he conducted numerous theatrical productions, including “Earl Carroll’s Vanities”. (Earl Carroll’s Theater, 753 Seventh Avenue).
A pioneer in broadcast music, Voorhees organized the Bell Telephone Orchestra in 1940 and led The Bell Telephone Hour on radio (1940–1958) and NBC television (1959–1968), becoming a household name. Opening with his composition “Bell Waltz,” the program introduced millions to classical music and featured major artists such as Marian Anderson, Bing Crosby, Nelson Eddy, Benny Goodman, Oscar Levant, and Ezio Pinza.
On January 12, 1959, he led The Bell Telephone Hour onto television, where it soon became one of the first series to be broadcast regularly in color. Although the program ended its weekly run on April 28, 1968, Voorhees had the foresight to preserve much of the material for future use. In 2001, VAI (Video Artists International) reissued multiple volumes of the series on DVD, featuring Voorhees introducing artists such as Barbara Cook, Mahalia Jackson, Gordon MacRae, Rudolf Nureyev, and Robert Merrill, as well as musical groups such as Jefferson Airplane and The New Christy Minstrels. The collection also includes a notable live broadcast featuring Groucho Marx performing the role of Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, conducted by Voorhees.
Among his many honors, Voorhees received a Peabody Award in 1945. He also earned honorary degrees from Bates College and Muhlenberg College and was awarded a gold key to the city of Allentown.
Known for his warmth and wide interests, he was an avid dog enthusiast—at one time owning 150 Scotch terriers—and enjoyed horse racing at Monmouth Park.
After stepping back from broadcasting, Voorhees continued leading the Allentown Symphony, largely on an expenses-only basis, out of devotion to his hometown.
Voorhees retired in 1983. He died of pneumonia on January 10, 1989, at Burdette Tomlin Hospital in Cape May Court House, New Jersey, at age 85. He was survived by his wife, Marni; a son; a daughter; two stepsons; a stepdaughter; and a grandson. Services were private, and his cremated ashes were given to the family.
Researched & Written by Lamb Bruce Roberts (2026)