Free concert honors George Frederick McKay

A free concert celebrating the founder of the School of Music’s composition department - George Frederick McKay - will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 in Brechemin Auditorium. The concert is part of the yearlong celebration of McKay’s works.

McKay taught at the UW for 41 years. Among his outstanding students were Pulitzer Prize-winner William Bolcom, John Cage, Gerald Kechly (also a professor emeritus of music), Kenneth Benshoof and Goddard Leiberson, who became president of Columbia Records.

“We are delighted to be part of the year-long celebration,” said Robin McCabe, director of the School of Music. “He was a significant influence not only on the UW School of Music, but on the impact and status of American concert music.”

The concert includes five works by McKay: “Six Pieces on Winter Moods and Patterns” performed by Joel Salsman, piano; “Suite for Flute and Harp” performed by Felix Skowronek, flute, and Pamela Vokolek, harp; “Five Songs for Soprano” performed by Ellaina Lewis, soprano, and Salsman; “Caricature Dance Suite” performed by Salsman; and “Sonata for Trombone and Piano” performed by Don Immel, trombone, and Lisa Bergman, piano.

McKay was a leader and contributor in the movement to establish serious American concert music as a valued part of the national cultural scene. ¶