GORDON A. HARDY

HARDY--Gordon A. 1918-2013. Gordon A. Hardy, musician, teacher, and administrator passed away on January 7, 2013, at the age of 94. Gordon was well known in the classical music world as the President and Dean of the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado, and for his work in both administration and teaching at the Juilliard School. Born in Hudson, Indiana, August 18, 1918, Gordon Hardy was educated at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning three degrees, a bachelor of arts, bachelor of music, and a eventually finishing a Master of Music in theory and composition after enlisting and serving in the United States Navy as an officer during WWII. Gordon sailed on a battleship and participated in battle in the Pacific theater. He came to New York City to pursue both a Bachelor of Science degree in piano and to work in musical theater. He began his teaching career as a faculty member of the Juilliard School and taught there from 1952-1965 when he was tapped to become the Dean of Students. He continued in that capacity from 1965 until 1977. He left the Juilliard School to accept the position of President of the Aspen Music Festival and School after first working as an assistant to the president, and then became Dean of the Festival's summer education program beginning in 1962. He remained as the Festival's President until his retirement in 1990 after 28 years of overall service to the institution. During his tenure with the Aspen Festival, he initiated several forward thinking educational programs that were uncommon during the 1960s and 1970s, including The Aspen Chamber Symphony that features young professional orchestral players and soloists at the beginning of their careers, a seminar style classical guitar program, a Jazz ensemble, an electronic music studio, a contemporary performance ensemble, plus special institutes in choral music, advanced string quartet performance, advanced composition for burgeoning young composers, and a department that taught music recording techniques. Gordon Hardy always put students first in his quest for the best in music education and will be remembered fondly by thousands of students that he guided at Juilliard and the Aspen Festival. Gordon Hardy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lillian Studebaker Hardy, daughter Susan H. Suechting of Elk Mound, WI, and son Christopher B. Hardy of Coeur d'Alene, ID, as well as 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three sons, Gordon, Jack and Jeffrey. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 11am at the Madison Ave. Presbyterian Church, E. 73 Street and Madison Ave.