Charles E. Lutton Men of Music

In memory of Casey Lutton, Sinfonia’s Supreme Secretary-Treasurer from 1919-1949, the Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award was created by the Executive Committee at its March 17, 1951 meeting and intended to be presented to a Sinfonian who, through significant musical activity, has distinguished himself, furthered the cause of music in America, and brought honor to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Although it was at first envisioned as an annual award, the pattern was established to make the award a regular feature at National Convention. Since its inception and subsequent awarding to Thor Johnson, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony, at the 1952 Convention, the Man of Music award has been awarded 24 times.

1952 – Thor Johnson (Alpha Rho)

One of the first projects given to the Public Relations Committee of 1952 was the choice of a “Man of Music.” The award, named in memory of Charles E. Lutton, was first presented to Thor Johnson at the 1952 National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was given the award during his tenure as conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and led the 52’ Convention “Sinfonia Sinfonette.” Originally a collegiate member of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina, Johnson was made a National Honorary member in 1948, just one year after he was appointed music director of the Cincinnati Symphony. At the time, he became the youngest American-born conductor of a major American orchestra. During his time at the CSO, he helped premier over 120 American and European compositions, half of which he commissioned. In addition to his CSO experience, Johnson was also the founder of the Peninsula Music Festival, established in 1952.

1954 – Howard Hanson (Iota)

Dr. Howard Hanson received the next “Man of Music” award at the 1954 National Convention. Hanson was initiated as a collegiate member of Phi Mu Alpha at the Iota chapter at Northwestern University in 1916. Hanson was also a charter member of the Alpha Nu chapter at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in 1925. Five years later he became a National Honorary member of the fraternity. Hanson became the director of the Eastman School of Music in 1924, transforming the school into one of the most prestigious music schools in the country. He brought in better teachers, improved the curriculum and refined the schools ensembles. He served as guest conductor of most major American and Germanic symphonies in addition to be a champion of American composition. While at Eastman, he premiered over 2000 works by over 500 American composers.

1956 – Earl V. Moore (Epsilon)

An alumnus of the University of Michigan, in addition to being a member of Phi Mu Alpha at their Epsilon Chapter, Earl V. Moore was awarded the “Man of Music” award at the 1956 National Convention. Moore served as director of the U of M School of Music from 1923 to 1960, before it officially became part of the university. It was in 1946 that he became the dean of the school of music, soon after it had joined the University. In his honor, Moore had the music school building named after him, and still stands as the Earl V. Moore music building at the University of Michigan. In addition to his accomplishments as director of the music program, he was also the university organist starting in 1915. Moore also composed several of the fight songs that the University of Michigan Marching Band still plays to this very day.

1958 – Sigmund Spaeth (Iota)

The 1958 “Man of Music” Award was given to Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, whose name was interwoven with American music for several decades. Dr. Spaeth was initiated into the Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Northwestern University in 1910. He was a music critic on several newspapers such as the “New York Times”, composer, arranger, conductor, performer, educator and editor of the “Music Journal.”Dr. Spaeth was also the author of several novels such as “A History of Popular Music in America” and “The Common Sense of Music.” These novels helped show the ties between popular songs of the time with old American folk songs. Spaeth’s knowledge of music lead to the premier of his NBC programs “Keys to Happiness” and “The Tune Detective.”

1960 – Joseph E. Maddy (Epsilon)

An alumnus of the Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Michigan, Joseph Maddy was given the “Man of Music” Award at the 1960 National Convention. Maddy was famous for being a champion of music for the youth of America. With this passion Maddy founded the National Music Camp, known today as the Interlochen Center for the Arts. This camp, located in Interlochen, Michigan, is internationally known for being the summer center for students of all ages to receive instruction in music and the arts from some of the finest teachers in the world.

1962 – Van Cliburn (Alpha Chi)

Van Cliburn, eminent pianist and Sinfonian of distinction, was awarded the Fraternity’s “Man of Music” Award at the 1962 National Convention. His speech was well received, playing two selections at the piano at the conclusion of his address. In 1958, he was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter at the University of Tula, the same year he participated in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in the former Soviet Union. At this contest, designed to boast the musical genius of the Soviet Race, Cliburn took home the first prize, arriving home to New York City with a ticker-tape parade in his honor. He’s the only musician in history to have this honor in his name. Due to his award, he was known as the “Texan who beat the Soviets.”

1964 – Archie N. Jones (Alpha Mu)

Dr. Archie N. Jones, Past National President of Sinfonia and Dean of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music gave the address at the banquet of the 1962 Convention. Dr. Jones was elected “Music Man of the Year,” receiving the Charles E. Lutton Award. He served as President of Phi Mu Alpha from 1950 to 1960, and holds the record for the most years as Sinfonia’s president. During his tenure as President, great emphasis was placed on the Fraternity’s role in the advancement of music in America.

1967 – Price Doyle (Gamma Delta)

Awarded the “Man of Music” Award in 1967, Price Doyle was an initiate of the Gamma Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Murray State University and former Executive Secretary of Phi Mu Alpha. Awarded posthumously, he was notified when he was decided on the award and accepted after serving Phi Mu Alpha for eighteen years. Doyle has had a lasting impression on his Alma Mater’s school of music. In addition to be an alumnus, his name has been attached to the fine arts building at the university. In addition to this, Doyle was also the dean of the Music School for some time. Doyle also served as the president of the National Association of Schools of Music. Formed in 1924, it established national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees at music schools.

1970 – Aaron Copland (Alpha Upsilon)

Aaron Copland received the “Man of Music” Award in 1970. Copland had a prolific career as a composer, being deemed “the Dean of American Composers.” He served as the head of the composition department at Berkshire Music Center from 1940 to 1965. In 1957, he was made chairman of the faculty. An alumnus of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Arizona, Copland created a vast portfolio of music that many consider to be standards in American music. His pieces “Fanfare for the Common Man”, “Lincoln Portrait”, “Rodeo” and “Appalachian Spring” are all standards in describing the American attitude. In addition to his pieces, Copland didn’t stray from promoting other American composers and their music. He was instrumental in bringing performances of new American works and their composers by supporting the Copland-Sessions Concerts in New York, the American Festival of Contemporary Music and the American Composers Alliance.

1973 – Pablo Casals (Epsilon Iota)

A world renowned cellist, composer, and conductor, Pablo Casals was named Phi Mu Alpha’s Man of Music in 1973. An honorary member of the Epsilon Iota Chapter at Florida State University, Casals founded the Prades Festival and served as its first music director. He also conducted many of the great orchestras of the world. We cannot forget his compositions, as Casals wrote many oratorios, symphonies, masses, choral works and string quartets. He even conducted one of his favorite pieces, “El Pessebre” (The Manger), all over the world as a personal request for world peace. In 2000, the Pablo Casals Celle Competition was created in his name and still helps to discover and further the careers of future elite cellists.

1976 – William C. Warfield (Delta Lambda)

A celebrated concert artist and actor, William Warfield was named “Man of Music” in 1976. Warfield was considered to be one of the world’s experts on Negro spirituals and German Lieder, and held the title of “America’s Musical Ambassador.” Long recognized as a master performer, most people remember him for his roles as Joe in the 51’ movie Showboat, Porgy in the 52’ production of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, as well as De Lawd in the TV show Green Pastures. This popularity led to his honorary initiation into the Delta Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Ball State University in 1961.

1979 – James L. Levine (Alpha Omega)

The first American music director of the Metropolitan Opera, James Levine was bestowed the honor of “Man of Music” in 1979. Making his musical debut playing piano at the age of ten with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Levine later joined the conducting staff of the Cleveland Orchestra at the age of twenty one. He was the youngest assistant conductor in the orchestra’s history. He was initiated into the Alpha Omega chapter at Carnegie Mellon University in 1949 and was awarded initiation into the honorary Alpha Alpha class in `1979. In 72’, he became the principal conductor of the Metropolitan Orchestra and Chorus, a post created especially for him. Over the course of his career, Levine conducted more than 2,456 Met performances. He transformed the Met orchestra and chorus into one of the world’s most elite operatic ensembles, stemming from his regular concert series of both ensembles he started at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

1982 – Sherrill Milnes (Alpha Beta)

Internationally acclaimed operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes was named Man of Music in 1982. Milnes is renowned for his performances in every major opera house with virtually every leading orchestra in every music capital of the world. He was a leading baritone of the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Chicago Lyric Opera as well as opera companies located in Paris, San Francisco, Berlin, Hamburg, Salzburg, London, Milan and Buenos Aires. An initiate of the Alpha Beta Chapter at Drake University, Milnes helped found the V.O.I.C.E. program in 2001. This program is meant to help young operatic singers train themselves and experience the real world obstacles in the opera world.

1985 – Clark Terry (Beta Zeta)

Clark Terry is passionate about music, and his efforts to advance jazz and to support the exposure that young musicians have to jazz help exemplify the ideals Sinfonia holds dear. An initiate of the Beta Zeta Chapter at the College of Emporia, Terry received the “Man of Music” Award in 1985 at the National Convention. He gained world-wide recognition for his originality, versatility, virtuosity and wit on the trumpet and flugelhorn, and is recognized as one of the most complete trumpet players in contemporary jazz. During his career, Terry became the first African American staff musician on NBC, holding a spot in the Tonight show band on the “Tonight Show” for ten years.

1988 – W. Francis McBeth (Alpha Iota)

Sinfonia’s Man of Music for the 1988 Convention was WilliamFrancis McBeth, resident composer and professor and chairman of the theory-composition department at Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He has been awarded the Presley Award from Hardin-Simmons University, the ASCAP Special Award, the American School Ban Directors Association’s Edwin Ranko Goldman Award, and the Howard Hanson Prize from the Eastman School of Music. An initiate of the Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Texas, McBeth remains one of the most performed American symphonic wind composers. His works, including such pieces as “Kaddish”, “Joyant Narrative”, and “Masque”, are considered to be standard repertoire for most wind ensembles.

1991 – Dave Grusin (Beta Chi)

Academy Award-winning composer Dave Grusin was honored with the title “Man of Music” in 1991. Beginning with the study of classical piano, Grusin turned to jazz and toured with Andy Williams. His touring led him to his first role as a musical director when William’s show, named after him, took off. After William’s show, Grusin teamed up with Larry Rosen to form GRP Records. It was named the top contemporary/traditional jazz label of the 1990s by Billboard Magazine. Following the success of his record label, Grusin was awarded his first Academy Award for his Film Score from Milagro Beanfield War in 89’. He later went on to gain six Oscar nominations, one of which being for his score from the The Fabulous Baker Boys. The same score awarded him two Grammy Awards. In addition to movie scores, Grusin also composed for several TV shows, including programs such as Dan August, Maude, and Columbo: Prescription:Murder.

1994 – William Revelli (Alpha Lambda)

William D. Revelli, an alumnus of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Illinois Wesleyan University, was awarded the Charles E. Lutton “Man of Music” Award in 1994. “Bill” Revelli served as the director of the University of Michigan Marching Band from 1935 to 1971. During his term he reinvented the way the university band played and performed, elevating the standard for collegiate marching bands. He was a dedicated, albeit strict director who believed the best way to coach a band was like coaching a football team. He moved college marching bands away from rigid military formations and was the first to make college marching bands synchronize music and movement. Revelli’s method gained him international acclaim for this new style of precision.

1997 – Leonard Slatkin (Alpha Alpha)

An American composer and conductor, Leonard Slatkin was granted the title “Man of Music” at the 1997 National Convention. Born to a Russian family gifted in music, Slatkin has traveled across the world conducting dozens of ensembles. In school, Slatkin studied under Jean Paul Morel. His start with conducting came when he was given the opportunity to conduct the New York Youth Symphony. Since then, Slatkin has conducted the San Francisco Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C., the BBC Symphony Orchestra and currently sits as the music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Starting in the 2011 season, Slatkin will be the principal music director of the Orchestra National de Lyon located in France.

2000 – Colonel John R. Bourgeois (Zeta Pi, Alpha Alpha)

Colonel John R. Burgeois was given the “Man of Music Award” at the 2000 National Convention in Dallas, Texas. Col. Bourgeois served as the conductor of the United States Marine Band from 1979 to 1996. His start with “The President’s Own” came in 1958, when he joined as a French Hornist and arranger. As the ensemble’s director, Col. Bourgeois was the Music Advisor at the White House. He selected all the musical programs there and directed the band for four Presidential Inaugurations. He regularly conducted the marine band and marine chamber orchestra at the White House appearing there more frequently than any other musician in the U.S. It was also under Col. Bourgeois that the marine band performed for the first time overseas. They traveled to the Netherlands in 85’, where for the first time in history “The President’s Own” performed with the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

2003 – Frederick Fennell (Alpha Nu)

At the 2003 National Convention in Washington D.C., the “Man of Music” award was given to Frederick Fennell. An internationally recognized conductor, Fenell was one of the big figures who promoted the legitimacy of the wind ensemble as a major performing group. Primarily a percussionist, he participated at Interlochen as well as studying at the Eastman School of Music. Fennel has been music director of several notable orchestras including the Tokyo Kosei Symphony Orchestra. In addition he has also made several recordings with prominent wind ensembles including the Cleveland Symphonic Winds and Dallas Wind Symphony. With the Cleveland Symphonic Wind ensemble, he recorded a rendition of Gustav Holst’s “Two Suites for Military Band.”

2006 – Maynard Ferguson (Xi Chi)

A Canadian band leader and jazz musician, Maynard Ferguson was awarded the “Man of Music” Award in Cleveland, Ohio at the 2006 National Convention. An initiate of the Xi Chi Chapter at Tennessee Tech University, Ferguson rose to fame while a member of Stan Kenton’s orchestra. After his time with Kenton, he formed his own jazz band in 1957. Ferguson was known for his accuracy with the trumpet’s higher register and helped many up and coming musicians step up into the spot light through his numerous ensembles. Ferguson had the misfortune of dealing with the big time shift when most big bands fell the way side. Unlike most, he was able to survive the change and has survived the changing times by evolving with them, changing his musical style from big band swing, to cool jazz, to Latin, to jazz/rock and fusion and more.

2009 – Jamey Aebersold (Gamma Omega)

A member of the Gamma Omega Chapter at Indiana State University, Jamey Aebersold was given the honor of “Man of Music” at the 2009 National Convention in Orland, Florida. An American jazz saxophonist, Aebersold authored the “Play-A-Long” series, a world renowned series of jazz instructional books that are considered standard for most jazz educators. In his books he touches on techniques that are considered basic building blocks for most jazz musicians. In addition to his books, he taught musical improvisation at the University of Louisville, where he also runs a summer jazz workshop that he has headed up for forty years. At his camp, young jazz students are exposed to master classes, ear-training sessions, jazz theory and concerts put on by the faculty and guest artists.

2012 – Carlisle Floyd (Epsilon Iota)

Brother Floyd is one of the most admired and widely performed opera composers and librettists of the last century. Known as the ‘Father of American Opera,’ he is credited with helping to create an American idiom in opera. Floyd’s most popular work, Susannah, has become one of the most performed American operas in history. Having debuted in 1956, in 1957 it won the New York Music Critic’s Circle Award and subsequently was chosen to be America’s official operatic entry at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. It has gone to achieve fame both in the United States and internationally. Other well-known works by Floyd include Of Mice and Men and Cold Sassy Tree.

2015 – Ellis Marsalis, Jr. (Delta Epsilon) -  biography coming soon.