George B. Wilson, also known as George Balch Wilson, a composer and retired professor of music from the University of Michigan, died Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in Ann Arbor, MI at the age of 94.
Born on January 28, 1927 in Grand Island, NE, to George B. Wilson, Sr. and Helen (Hart) Wilson, George grew up in Lincoln, NE and Denver, CO. Following service in the US Army Air Force during World War Il, he attended the University of Michigan eventually earning three degrees. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship (1953-1954) and studied in Belgium and France. In 1957, he was awarded the Rome Prize of the American Academy in Rome, Italy, spending the following three years at the Academy.
In 1961, George joined the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Michigan where he taught composition, directed the Electronic Music Studios, and founded "Contemporary Directions," an ensemble and concert series devoted to new music. Beginning in 1980, he received four successive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to build and establish the first University of Michigan digital electronic music facility. He retired in 1994.
A founding member of SEMUS (Society for Electro Acoustic Music in the United States), George’s honors also included a Citation and Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, a publication award from the Society for the Publication of American Music and the Walter Hendrickson Award.
George is survived by his sons Brian L. (Jane) Wilson of Ann Arbor, and James H. (Carsten Schmidt) Wilson of New York, NY and Staunton, VA, and grandchildren, Michael J. Wilson of Ypsilanti, MI, and Madeleine E. Wilson of Miami, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the George Balch Wilson Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, either online at https://donate.umich.edu/Ob544 or by contacting SMTD Advancement at 734-647-2035.
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