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Burdette Green Obituary
1921 - 2017
Burdette L. Green, 89, died peacefully at Kobacker House on October 13, 2017. Born in Bucyrus OH on May 21, 1928, he was the only child of Luella (Ekleberry) and Milton Green. The family moved to Columbus where Burdette attended Norwich Elementary, Indianola Junior High, and North High School, graduating in 1946. He began his musical life studying clarinet and saxophone, and had his own band in high school called "Greenie and the Greenhorns". While playing in big bands and swing bands, he attended The Ohio State University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in clarinet performance and a Master's degree and Ph.D. in music theory. He began his teaching career for the Ohio State School of Music in 1954, and retired at age 80 after 54 years of service to students and colleagues. He served as faculty adviser to the Phi Mu Alpha honorary, helped to start and mentor the Jazz Ensemble, chaired the music theory area, and served on numerous committees. He was a devoted and well-loved teacher, known for his breadth and depth of scholarship, his humor, his editorial skills and his steady guidance. He was active in and presented papers to the Society for Music Theory and the American Musicological Society. He received the Distinguished Teaching Award from the School of Music in 1972-73. Burdette played clarinet in the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and was the lead saxophone in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra for many years. Over his lifetime he played in the Al Waslohn Band, Don Crawford Band, Classic Swing, Scots' Inn band and numerous other groups. Burdette served in the Ohio National Guard for five years, including one year of active service. He is preceded in death by his parents and their siblings. He is survived by his wife, M. Donice Wooster; and stepsons, Matthew (Betsy) Wooster of Wellesley MA and their sons, James and Sam Rogers, David Wooster (Audrey Larrimer) of Athens OH and their children, Abe and Phoebe, and James (Francie) Wooster of Columbus and Annie. Also survived by brother-in-law, Nelson Harper (Nolan Long). He was a generous and kind husband, stepfather and grandfather and will be deeply missed. There will be calling hours on Wednesday, October 25 from 5-8 pm at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Rd., 43221. A service of memory will be held on Thursday, October 26 at 1 pm at First Community Church, South Campus, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., 43212 with an opportunity to greet the family following the service. Donations in Burdette's memory may be made to the Frank Kinnan Scholarship in Music (Fund #603700) through the Ohio State University School of Music, 1899 College Rd., Columbus 43201 or to the Jazz Arts Group (Education Fund), 734 E. Long St., Columbus 43203. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Burdette Green
Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.
Kathryn Zetts
May 30, 2018
Just found out that Dr. Green passed away.I am so sorry to hear this--my condolences to his family. I took his History of Theory courses in the mid-1980s as a grad student. He made copies of everyone's papers (no doubt using his own money--I think I saw him doing so at Kinko's Copies once) for the whole class so that we could share everyone's knowledge. He had a wealth of knowledge and was a wonderful person--unfailingly kind and supportive. I think of him whenever I play soprano sax (which I do on occasion, even though I am really an oboist). I'm a better person for having known him. RIP
January 1, 2018
I send condolences to the family of Dr. Green. He was my dissertation advisor at OSU and a better person. I took his History of Theory courses which met in Sullivant Hall at 8am ( I believe it was MWF). He was an extremely knowledgeable guy.
A number of years ago, l submitted a box of cassette tapes to the OSU music department. They were recordings of Dr. Green's lectures from his History of Theory classes and were requested to help commemorate his 54 years of service at the university. I hope this project will someday be completed in his memory.
Glenn Caldwell
Dave Deason
December 26, 2017
I just discovered that Dr. Green passed. I have so many great memories of him and his Doctoral courses. Through his influence I discovered a whole world I was only dimly aware of. He was the biggest influence on my developing love of the History of Theory, which continues unabated to this day. His wry humor is one of my cherished memories at Ohio State. His suave sax playing was wonderful. The Music world has lost a great scholar and mentor to all of us who studied with him. He was, in a word, a COOL guy.
Paula Telesco
November 27, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Burdette Green, and extend my sincerest condolences to his family. I took all of his History of Theory classes when I was a doctoral student at OSU. He was a great teacher with an even greater sense of humor. I will always remember him fondly.
Howard Stephens
October 24, 2017
Dr. Green saw my potential despite my defieciencies as a freshman. His belief in me inspired a long and distinguished teaching and playing career in music education. I have never forgot that and owe much of my success as a clarinetist and teacher to him. May he Rest In Peace hopefully knowing that he had a profound influence over many students who were blessed to pass through his classroom/studio doors.
Christopher Waslohn
October 24, 2017
Fond memories of Burdette playing great music with dad.
Bob Smith
October 24, 2017
Burdette was my applied sax instructor and turned me from an ex-clarinetist into a saxophonist. He gave me my embouchre and my tonal concept that i still use. His dry sense of humor made my lessons an adventure. There's a band in heaven with an awesome new lead alto player.
Taken 5/27/16
Martha (McGinnis) Gamble
October 24, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss. Here's a picture from May 2016 when Burdette visited my parents at their condo in Hilliard. Dad was so glad to see him and the visit meant a lot to him.
The Smiths
October 24, 2017
We send our condolence to you at this time of grief. May the God of all comfort bring you peace and hope as well. John 6:40
Bob Carpenter
October 24, 2017
October 23, 2017
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Green. He was a good friend of my dad, Ted Turner. They would play gigs together when they were young. I remember Dr. Green came to my dad's funeral about 11 years ago.
Dr.Green will be missed. I understand what you are going through at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marcia Turner Conley
Daughter of Ted Turner
October 23, 2017
Burdette was a great musician, teacher and nice man . A true gentleman. He befriended me my first week teaching at OSU in 1977. He stopped by my office and said," I hear you play guitar. Let's get coffee." That first couple of quarters I had coffee w. he and Geoff Tyus at the McD's on High St. several times.
RIP
Geri Rosser
October 23, 2017
Many condolences to the family in your loss. The loss also belongs to all those who sat under his tutelage during those many years. Dr. Green was my professor for my Master's and Doctoral programs at OSU, and my dissertation advisor. He was knowledgeable, kind, giving, sometimes challenging, and a stickler for grammar, context, and content. He paid for numerous handouts and documents for our theory classes out of his own pocket, and had the most dry, wonderful sense of humor that made even 8:00 a.m. classes more than bearable. He hooded me for my doctorate, and I will treasure that experience for a lifetime, because of his careful and gracious guidance through the whole process. He will be greatly missed!
Ann Schnapp
October 23, 2017
My condolences to Dr. Green's family. I had Dr. Green for music theory when in graduate school at OSU. I really enjoyed his sense of humor! Even though I didn't know him personally, I could tell he was a very nice person.
Ann Schnapp
Rod Ebright
October 23, 2017
Burdette was a kind person, a loving family man, and a gentle soul. He will be missed by many. Love and sympathy to Donice and the family.
Arnett
October 22, 2017
Mr. Green,
Bright moments in you career in music. When the saints go marching in, I want to be in that number.
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