Famous Seattle Composer Noted in Alki Bricks

[FredMcKay]

World famous Seattle composer George Frederick McKay is commemorated with lettered bricks at the new Statue of Liberty Park on Alki. Many of his symphonies are now heard world-wide on the radio, thanks to the issue of cd’s through the world’s largest classical record company NAXOS. Three of his Northwest themed symphonies are noted at Alki, including Harbor Narrative, From A Moonlit Ceremony, and Symphony for Seattle, which was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony for the Seattle Centennial in 1951-52. George Frederick McKay was Professor Emeritus at the UW and taught there for 40 years (1927-1968)and has hundreds of former students still involved in the musical life of our community and the nation. His student Earl Robinson, from West Seattle, was a successful screen-writer who once was awarded a special Academy Award in Hollywood, and other of McKay students have won the Pulitzer Prize, several Guggenheim Grants, and several Grammys. Currently McKay’s Epoch: An American Dance Symphony is ranked #1 in the world for downloads on Classicsonline.com, having debuted on September 1, 2008. In terms of down-to-earth Seattle history, his sons Richard and Harrison were lifeguards at local beaches and pools in the 1940’s and 1950’s while they were college students. The McKay family generally summered at Bainbridge Island, and much of the Professor’s music contains salty references to our beautiful region.

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[mellaw6565]

Thanks for the info – I always wonder who some of the people on the bricks are. Your family must be very proud!

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[barb]

I recently received a brick from my husband for my birthday

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[mellaw6565]

Barb -so are you famous or is it just an “I was here” type of thing?

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[FredMcKay]

It is cherished a memory of long ago—-of someone who honored his community and friends.

Thanks for reading.

Fred

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