Lila-Gene George facts for kids

Lila-Gene George (born September 25, 1918 – died December 22, 2017) was an American composer and a talented piano player. She wrote many kinds of music, including pieces for small groups of instruments, piano solos, and songs for singers. Lila-Gene went to the University of Oklahoma. She also learned from famous composers and performed her music in many countries.

Early Life

Lila-Gene George was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on September 25, 1918. She grew up in Elk City, Kansas. When she was 13, her stepfather passed away. Lila-Gene and her mother then moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They wanted to live closer to her grandparents there.

Learning and Music

Lila-Gene graduated from the University of Oklahoma. She earned degrees in English, French, and music theory. Later, she continued her studies at Northwestern University in 1950. She was part of a music group called Sigma Alpha Iota. In 1969, she won an award from them for her compositions.

Lila-Gene started playing piano as a child. Her mother and stepfather taught her. She later studied with Nadia Boulanger, a very important music teacher. Lila-Gene spent nine summers learning from her in Fontainebleau, France. She also studied with Narcis Bonet for two summers. From 1963 to 1965, she learned from composer Otto Luening at Columbia University.

Her Music Career

Lila-Gene George performed in concerts and gave talks about music. She traveled all over the United States, Central America, South America, and Europe. She played solo piano with the Oklahoma City Little Symphony and the Houston Summer Symphony.

In the 1940s, Lila-Gene was part of a piano group in Oklahoma City. She also helped judge student piano recitals. For example, she judged a festival in March 1972.

In November 1986, it was announced that Lila-Gene would give a piano recital. This concert was held at the Horton Foote Theater in Wharton. She also taught piano privately. She taught in South America from 1948 to 1952. She also taught in New York City and Houston. Her main music studio was in Houston, Texas. She often gave talks where she discussed music used by Maurice Dumesnil during his tours.

Personal Life

After college, Lila-Gene married Richard P. George on September 11, 1941. Richard was an engineer. They were married for 66 years until he passed away.

Lila-Gene George died on December 22, 2017, in Wharton, Texas. A memorial service was held for her in January 2018.

What She Composed

Lila-Gene George wrote many pieces of music. She created chamber music, which is for small groups of instruments. She also wrote many compositions for the piano.

She published two sheet music pieces in 1965:

• Merry-Go-Round for Christmas
• For Winter's Rains and Ruins are Over (Atalanta in Calydon)

The second piece, For Winter's Rains and Ruins are Over, put a poem by English writer Algernon Charles Swinburne to music.

Lila-Gene George's work is recognized in several important music books. These include Flute Music by Women Composers: An Annotated Catalog and the International Encyclopedia of Women Composers.