George Burt

George James Burt

October 7, 1929-March 28, 2015

George James Burt passed away on March 28th in Sonoma at the age of 85. An accomplished composer, he wrote over 40 musical works (orchestral, chamber and electronic) as well as scores for six feature-length films. Born in San Francisco and raised in Sausalito, he attended The San Francisco Conservatory and went on to receive degrees from UC Berkeley, Mills College and finished graduate studies at Princeton. During these years Burt studied with such luminaries as Darius Milhaud, Roger Sessions, Andrew Imbrie, Leon Kirchner and Milton Babbitt. He also worked with Gyorgy Ligeti for a year in Vienna while on an Alfred Hertz Memorial Grant. His music has been performed by the Detroit and Houston Symphony orchestras, the Paris Opera Orchestra as well as the Cleveland Chamber Symphony Orchestra and by chamber ensembles in many colleges and universities. He wrote the acclaimed book, "The Art of Film Music" published by Northeastern University Press, which has become a standard text used in university film departments throughout the country. Film scores include Fool for Love and Secret Honor, both directed by Robert Altman. George was a Professor of Music at Smith College, The University of Michigan and Rice University, where he was named Professor Emeritus. George is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Graham Burt, sons Eric and Wylie Burt, stepchildren Patrick, Missy, Kathy, and Kelly, and 9 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the California State Summer School for the Arts: Music Scholarships at 39 E. Walnut, Pasadena CA 91103 or csssaf.org/giving. Memorial Celebration will be held April 18, 2015.