Canary Burton facts for kids
Canary Lee Burton (born September 16, 1942) is an American keyboardist, a musician who plays instruments like the piano, and a composer, meaning she writes music. She is also a writer.
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About Canary Burton
Canary Burton was born on September 16, 1942, in Richmond, California. In 1972, she moved to Moscow, Idaho. There, she attended the University of Idaho. She was one of the first women accepted into the music composition program. This program teaches how to create new music.
After three years, she left the university. She wanted to form her own rock 'n' roll band. She also played in different rock and jazz groups. Many people enjoyed her performances. However, she soon realized that performing wasn't what she truly loved. She decided to focus more on writing music instead.
Her Journey in Music
Canary then moved to Washington D.C.. She worked at WPFW Pacifica radio for three years. Later, she moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There, she started her own radio show called The Latest Score. This show played modern music on WOMR radio in Provincetown.
While playing in bands, Canary kept learning more about music. She studied jazz with Kevin Toney in 1980. She also learned composition from John Zielinski from 1990 to 1992. She even taught music herself from 1996 to 2000.
Recognitions and Achievements
Some of Canary Burton's music was featured in a book called Music of Living Composers in 1997. This book was put together by Betty Wishart, a piano professor. In 2013, one of her pieces, Southern River, won an award. It was a winner in the Search for New Music competition. This competition is held by the International Alliance for Women in Music.
Canary's music has been played all over the world. You can find information about her work at the Wellfleet Public Library in Massachusetts. Her music is also kept in a library in Italy. She has received an ASCAP Plus Award. This award helps musicians whose work is very special and important. You can even listen to some of her older music online. You can also download the sheet music to play it yourself.
Musical Creations
Canary Burton has written many different kinds of music. She has composed pieces for piano, voice, and even full orchestras. Her works show her wide range of musical interests.
Piano and Instrument Pieces
Here are some examples of her music for piano and other instruments:
- Sometime After One (1982), for piano
- Gaia Morning, Gaia Noon, Gaia Night (1987), for piano
- Costa Brava (1989), for piano
- Atlantic Sonata (1992), for piano
- Archeological Record (2008), for piano
- Daniella’s Hope (2008), for piano played by four hands
- Whispers (2011), for guitar
- String Theory (2011), for string orchestra
- Chopin Slept (2011), for piano trio (three instruments)
- Solo Viola, for a single viola
- Southern River, for cello and viola
- No More Violins, for violin and piano
- The Twelfth of Cold, for piano, viola, violin, clarinet, bass, and cello
Vocal and Other Works
Canary Burton has also written music that includes singing:
- The Promise (1993), for voice and piano
- Clara Young, for voice and piano
- American Lullaby, for voice and piano
- Early in the Morning, for voice and piano
- Nightfall in the City, for piano and voice
- Refugee, for guitar and voice
She has also created some very short pieces, often lasting only one minute:
- La Compara, for piano, trumpet, and clarinet
- Cuban Love, for piano
- Dust Bunnies, for piano
Jazz Compositions
Canary Burton has also written many jazz pieces:
- Familiarity (1977), a jazz piece for one instrument
- Meteor Shower (1977), an instrumental jazz piece
- Companion (2006), for jazz piano
- Lulu's Rag, for jazz band
- Solar Reflection, for jazz band
- Ya Gotta Be Kiddin, for piano
Recorded Music
Canary Burton's music has been recorded and released on CDs. Here are some of her albums:
- Piano Music from Cape Cod (2003)
- Women in Harmony (2010)
- Classical Bird: The Music of Canary Burton (2014)
- Jazz Bird (2014)
- Bird Notes (2014)
- Bird Song: Canary Burton and Friends
