Alfred Burt carols - Christmas carol composer

Alfred Shaddick Burt was born on April 22, 1920. Alfred's arrival at the rectory next to St. Paul's Episcopal Church on High Street was heralded by his father, the Reverend Bates Gilbert Burt, his mother, Emily May, a 12-year-old sister, Frances Deborah, and a two-year-old brother, John Harris. During high school days, Al enjoyed a wide range of musical expression, but it was the new modern idiom of jazz that fascinated him the most. He formed a dance band, which was featured at church functions; and his family tolerated a set of trap drums in the rectory attic. His father discussed many times Al's feelings for this new form of music, not fully understanding his interest, but never discouraging him.

Al chose the University of Michigan School of Music in Ann Arbor for his formal education. Here he participated in the famed marching band and was the first freshman to qualify for first chair on cornet. His classical background was accomplished in the Little Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra, and the jazz expression in the dance orchestra at the Michigan Union. Graduating in 1942 with a Bachelor of Music degree, Al was chosen as an outstanding theory student. His disciplined, well-rounded foundation in musical composition would enhance his God-given abilities.

In World War II Al was serving with the Army Air Force Band. Al kept busy during the war years playing with the base dance band, The Yardbirds, with the concert band, for radio broadcasts, as well as writing arrangements. He also served as a substitute trumpeter for the Houston Symphony. On October 13, 1945, Al and Anne were married in All Saints' Church with Father Burt officiating. Mother Burt, ill in the hospital with cancer, was unable to attend. She died two weeks later and was buried in the family plot in Marquette. After Al's discharge, in 1945 from the Army the Burt's toured the country for 15 months with an orchestra.

After that they traveled to New York City. Al taught sightsinging, theory, and musicianship at the American Theatre Wing School. Renewing his friendship with James Wolfe, concert pianist and former college roommate, Al accepted an invitation to compose something for his upcoming concert tour. Seven concert w altzes were written in crowded quarters without a piano. The waltzes were first performed in Honolulu, Hawaii. Early in 1948 Father Burt suffered a fatal heart attack.

Al joined the Alvino Rey Orchestra in 1949. After many years on the road, the Burts were happy finally to be establishing roots in one place and bought their first real home in the San Fernando Valley. Al became assistant choir director at St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church in Studio City.In 1953 Al came down with a virus flu that left a lingering cough. He had been working long hours on a television show that Alvino Rey and the King Sisters were doing. Now he wished to leave town to set up the Horace Heidt Orchestra for a road tour. Returning from the tour he entered the hospital for tests, he was still optimistic that it was a simple problem. No one was prepared for the results. He had lung cancer and had six months to a year to live!

Al died on February 6, 1954. He was just 33 years of age. Since then the music of Alfred S. Burt has taken its place in the heritage of American music. It is impossible to relate the wonderful growth the carols have had. Their acceptance in concert halls, churches, schools, on radio and television, and in homes around the world truly delights the Burt family.

Discography

Considered by some to be the finest recording of Christmas carols ever, these original compositions were written by Alfred and primary lyricists Wihla Hutson and Bates G. Burt (Alfred's father). In fact, the carols were initially sent as Christmas messages to Burt family members and friends! Alfred died in 1954 at the age of thirty three, but his legacy has brought joy to untold myriads of listeners ever since. Artists from Nat "King" Cole to the Boston Pops Orchestra and Chorus have popularized what conductor John Williams described as "mini-masterpieces." The sixteen voice a cappella choir directed by arranger Jimmy Joyce (who had worked with Alfred in the Alvino Rey Orchestra) is sprightly and surefooted in their performance, which was recorded in 1963. A sentimental and popular favorite.

Alfred S. Burt died in February of 1954 at the age of 33, already a legend. The slender minister's son, the young jazz trumpeter who composed Christmas carols, was carrying on a tradition started in 1922 by his father, the Reverend Bates G. Burt, who began sending his own composed carols as Christmas messages to friends and family. Rev. Bates proudly saw his son take over music in 1941, while he supplied the lyrics. These are the only carols created in modern times that have obtained international acceptance in the music community, from local choirs to stars like Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, The Lennon Sisters and many others have recorded Burt carols. So listen to these "mini-masterpieces," beautifully performed by the Columbia Choir with occasional light accompaniment by the Ralph Carmichael Brass Ensemble and organ. "Caroling, Caroling," "The Star Carol," "Christ in the Stranger's Guise," "Come Dear Children," "Some Children See Him," "All on a Christmas Morning," "O Hearken Ye." "Jesu Parvule," "Nigh Bethlehem," "This is Christmas," "Ah, Bleak and Chill" and "We'll Dress the House." At the end of the CD is a very nice instrumental medley of the carols. We have enjoyed these carols as particularly wonderful ones for years, never knowing the story of their gifted composer, now we see them with a new appreciation.

For over 50 years, the Alfred Burt Carols have brought joy and good cheer to holiday celebrations around the world. Now for the first time ever, some of our greatest singers and beloved holiday voices have been brought together in this landmark collection. The diversity and caliber of these artists is testament to the respect that the Burt carols inspire with performances by Natalie Cole, Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Mathis, Dave Grusin, Julie Andrews and a dozen others. With 24 brand new performances and remastered originals, this remarkable CD release is an instant classic!

Arrangements

Alfred Burt: Christmas Carols, Set 1

Caroling, Caroling Long Ago
All On A Christmas Morning
We'll Dress The House
Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind
Christmas Cometh Caroling

4 COPIES PER SET

These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group.

6897 SHEET MUSIC Mixed Voices $7.98

6897 SHEET MUSIC Male Voices $7.98

6897 SHEET MUSIC Female Voices $7.98

Alfred Burt: Christmas Carols, Set 2

O Hearken Ye
Some Children See Him
Jesu Parvule
Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries
The Star Carol

4 COPIES PER SET

6898 SHEET MUSIC Mixed Voices $7.98

6898 SHEET MUSIC Male Voice $7.98

6898 SHEET MUSIC Female Voices $7.98

Alfred Burt: Christmas Carols, Set 3

Nigh Bethlehem
Carol Of The Mother
What Are The Signs
Christ In The Stranger's Guise
Come Dear Children

4 COPIES PER SET

6899 SHEET MUSIC Mixed Voices $7.98

6899 SHEET MUSIC Male Voice $7.98

6899 SHEET MUSIC Female Voices $7.98

Alfred Burt: The Alfred Burt Christmas Carols Songbook

Ah, Bleak and Chill the Wintery Wind
All On a Christmas Morning
Carol of the Mother
Christ in a Starnger's Guise
Christmas Cometh Caroling
Jesu Parvule
Nigh Bethlehem
O Hearken Ye
Some Children See Him
The Star Carol
This Is Christmas
We'll Dress the House
What Are The Signs?

15 carols that started as a family Christmas card tradition and ended up as part of the standard Christmas carol repertoire. This collection also features a bio on Burt. Voice and piano.

9208 SONGBOOK $6.95

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Alfred Burt