 From the late 1920s and early 1930s Grainger became involved increasingly with educational work in schools and colleges , and in late 1931 accepted a year 's appointment for 1932 – 33 as professor of music at New York University ( NYU ) . In this role he delivered a series of lectures under the heading " A General Study of the Manifold Nature of Music " , which introduced his students to a wide range of ancient and modern works . On 25 October 1932 his lecture was illustrated by Duke Ellington and his band , who appeared in person ; Grainger admired Ellington 's music , seeing harmonic similarities with Delius . On the whole , however , Grainger did not enjoy his tenure at NYU ; he disliked the institutional formality , and found the university generally unreceptive to his ideas . Despite many offers he never accepted another formal academic appointment , and refused all offers of honorary degrees . His New York lectures became the basis for a series of radio talks which he gave for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1934 – 35 ; these were later summarised and published as Music : A Commonsense View of All Types . In 1937 Grainger began an association with the Interlochen International Music Camp , and taught regularly at its summer schools until 1944 . 
