He graduated from Oxnard Union High School in Oxnard, California in 1933, after which he attended the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Howard Hanson, obtaining B.M.

He taught at the University of Michigan (where his notable students included Leslie Bassett, George Balch Wilson, Norma Wendelburg, and Donald Harris) then at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon from 1958 to 1976.

While at the University of Michigan he also served on the Interlochen Music Camp staff where he helped and influenced many aspiring young musicians including not able Dwight Beckham in 1950.

The Homer Keller Papers are held by the Eastman School of Music.

This article about an American composer born in the 20th century is a stub.