Robert Guyn McBride

About

Bennington College

FUNERAL HOME

Adair Funeral Home - Dodge Chapel

1050 N. Dodge Blvd

Tucson, Arizona

Robert McBride Obituary

Robert Guyn McBride University of Arizona Music Professor Emeritus, died July 1, 2007. He was born in Tucson, Arizona Territory, on February 20, 1911. Robert is survived by Carol, his wife of 66 years; their daughter, Marion of Irvington, NY; their son, Lawrence (Barbara) of Arlington, VA; and by grandchildren, Karin Sosis, Andrew Sosis, Lindsay McBride, and Graham McBride. Bob's musical talents matured at the UA, where he received a Master of Music degree in 1935. This "desert rat" then taught at Bennington College in Vermont, where he met and married Carol. In 1945 he moved to New York City to write music for films. As television supplanted short subjects at the movies, he returned in 1957 to Tucson and the UA to teach composition. Skilled as an instrumentalist (oboe, English horn, clarinet, and saxophone), Bob performed widely at colleges and with orchestras. His compositions were played by major orchestras and chamber groups, and were published and recorded. His music, often with catchy titles, ranged from serious to whimsical: opera, jazz pieces, modern dance scores, instrumental solos, chamber pieces, and orchestral works. He received a Guggenheim Foundation grant in 1937, and in 1942 the American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded him a prize for "writing a new idiom and expression" in modern American music. Later, the UA honored him with a Medallion of Merit. Bob was a true gentleman whose great patience and wonderfully agreeable nature endeared him to his family, friends, and students. An achievement Bob especially enjoyed was scoring 11 holes-in-one at the local par three course, the last at age 92. The family wishes to thank all those who have cared for Bob recently; we are grateful for their help. A memorial service will be held at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church on a date to be announced. Contributions in Robert's memory may be sent to the Church marked for the Haines Fund, or to a favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, DODGE CHAPEL.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Jul. 4, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert McBride

7 Entries

Gina Genova

May 7, 2024

Joyous to announce a full concert of music by Robert G. McBride at the 2024 IDRS music conference in Flagstaff, AZ (NAU) July 23, 2024. For more info, contact composers.com - our best wishes to the family of Robert McBride (and Carol). -Gina Genova

Kenneth LaFave

July 12, 2007

I was so saddened to hear of Bob McBride's passing. He was a good and kind teacher to me in the 1970s at UofA. His dry sense of humor and his patience helped me through some difficult undergrad months. I learned from him the absolute importance of treating composition as a craft. No sitting around waiting for inspiration! Write, shape, revise, write some more.

A wonderful thing happened about two years ago. I'd long fallen out of touch with Mr. McBride -- he was always Mr. McBride -- when the Philadelphia Orchestra asked me to write a program note on...Pumpkin-Eaters Little Fugue! This led me to the happy discovery that the work's composer was still alive and making holes-in-one down in Tucson. It was a great excuse to call him and glean his memories of writing the piece.

He will be fondly remembered.

Wendal Jones

July 5, 2007

It was a great priviledge to work alongside Bob McBride in the School of Music at the University of Arizona. We played together in the University Faculty Woodwind Quintet for several years in the 1960s and during that time the quintet played a wide variety of music including classical and contemporary works. He encouraged me to write new pieces for the quintet and so the group played several of my works on campus and on tour. His own music had a great fascination for me because his pieces were always very original and interesting for the listener. Bob and I often played golf together during winter months before class, usually at 6:00 a.m. A favorite moment was when one morning he broke the news to me that he owed me a breakfast. When I asked why he said, "Well, you just hit a hole-in-one!" (My first and last) I will always remember Bob for his patience, keen wit, and love of good music. Virginia and I will miss him. Only last year he remembered her playing bass clarinet with us for the Janecek Sextet--Mladi, a great work which he loved.

Thomas Turner

July 5, 2007

July 5, 2007

I studied composition with Robert McBride during my last two years at the U of A, 1957-1959. He was a wonderful teacher and he really encouraged me. I shall always regret not having stayed in touch with him. I turned out to be primarily a pianist, and even though I achieved a little notoriety as a composer, I never thought it was enough to write to him about! I am now retired from my university musical career, but I still remember details of things he taught me, vital skills that I never learned elsewhere. I have thought about him a lot over the years and I'll always remember him with affection and gratitude.
Thomas Turner (Matthews, NC and Phoenix, AZ)

Stardust Johnson

July 5, 2007

Please accept my deepest condolences. Bob McBride and my husband Roy Johnson were colleagues on the UA faculty. He was almost my counterpoint professor. I will always remember the gentle way he had with his students.
Stardust (Dusty) Johnson

Graham McBride

July 4, 2007

He was my Grand-dad. He was simply a great man. He loved me with all his heart. I love him with all of mine.

Edward W. Murphy

July 4, 2007

Heather and I are grateful to have known Bob as a friend, colleague, teacher, and exceptional musician. He displayed keen wit and a subtle sense of humor which was apparent in his uniquely personal compositions. I was privileged to have played with him for several years in the University of Arizona's Faculty Woodwind Quintet. He will always be fondly remembered.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results