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Olly Wilson Obituary
September 7, 1937 - March 12, 2018
UC Berkeley emeritus professor and internationally renowned composer Olly W. Wilson of Berkeley, California passed away on March 12, 2018. Wilson's musical compositions have been performed by numerous orchestras worldwide including most notably, the Royal Concertgebouw, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco Symphonies, along with Moscow and New York Philharmonic. His awards include, amongst many others, two Guggenheim Fellowships, the coveted Elise Stoeger Prize from the Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1995. Professor Wilson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Elouise, his two children, six grandchildren and two surviving sisters. Friends and family are welcome to the viewing at Fouches Hudson Funeral Home on March 29, located at 3665 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Olly Wilson
Sponsored by Fouche's Hudson Funeral Home.
Dan Weymouth
May 10, 2018
I had the pleasure of studying with Olly while a student at Berkeley from 1982-1984, and from 1986-1989. A glorious composer, a generous mentor, a rigorous intellect, and a wonderful human being. I still remember things he said to me when I am teaching my own students. His passing is a great loss to the community of music.
My most sincere condolences to his family, and my most profound gratitude for being able to know him.
April 6, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John Gilbert
March 30, 2018
I had the pleasure of playing under Olly when he conducted the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber players and I was a music and engineering student percussionist at Berkeley in the 1970s. I always found him warm, friendly, and musically exacting. He managed to get the best performance possible from the group. He was very easy to play for. I would see him occasionally at concerts or on campus for years and he always would say hello and engage me in conversation. He and David Baker were two giants in American contemporary composition who have recently left the stage. I'm sorry he's gone. My best wishes to his family and the musical community in general.
William Godfrey Davis
March 27, 2018
My condolences to the Wilson Family. I was both saddened and surprised to learn of your recent loss. I am sorry I did not stay more in touch. Blessings!!!!
Susie Williams
March 27, 2018
Sending love and prayers to your family dear Olly, you have left a wonderful legacy for us all. Your work here on earth is done and now may you rest in peace.
March 26, 2018
I am sending love and prayers to the Wilson and Johnson families. Olly has left us all with such a wonderful legacy, Now Olly your work is done here and may you rest in peace.
Marjorie Ambus
March 24, 2018
To the Family
Marjorie Jackson Ambus and Family send prayers for you at this time. My years of Ollie caring and sharing at First Baptist Church are times you never forget. Your family will always be in prayer for strength to endure.
Warice Blackmon-Davis
March 24, 2018
On behalf of the Charles Sumner Alumni Association, our prayers and condolences to the family of our brother Mr. Olly Wilson
On behalf of the Charles Sumner Alumni Association, I offer condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Olly Wilson. -Warice Blackmon
Warice Blackmon-David
March 24, 2018
The Charles Sumner High School Family wished him a Happy Birthday last year! -Warice Blackmon Davis
Warice Blackmon-David
March 24, 2018
Olly Wilson accepts his Honorary Membership, 2015
March 20, 2018
To Eloise and the family and friends of Olly Wilson:
The Society for American Music made Dr. Wilson an Honorary Member in 2015 at our annual conference. There isn't a student of black music, or a student of contemporary music, who doesn't know his work as a composer and scholar. He wrote brilliantly on the way African musical aesthetics informed the viewpoint of black composers, even if their compositions weren't explicitly about black music. I will always remember his haunting Sometimes, a particular favorite. On behalf of the Society, we send our deepest sympathy on his passing, and our sincere appreciation for a lifetime of creativity and generosity. ~ Sandra Graham, President, Society for American Music
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Memorial Events
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