In Memoriam: Al Ligotti (1927-2015)

Albert F. Ligotti, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2015, at the age of 88 years. His life-long love of music is his legacy to those who knew and loved him, and he generously shared that love with his world.

An Associate Professor Emeritus of Music at The University of Georgia, he served on the music faculty for 27 years teaching trumpet and conducting. He was the founder and director of the UGA Wind Ensemble, played in the Faculty Brass Quintet, and served as music director of the university opera/music theatre program.

Prior to his appointment at UGA in 1968, Ligotti performed as a professional trumpet player for eleven years with the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. He also performed with the Metropolitan Opera Company, the Boston Pops with Arthur Fiedler, as trumpet soloist with the Knickerbocker Chamber Players, the New York City Opera and Ballet companies, the Goldman Band, the Bell Telephone Television Orchestra, the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra, in Broadway show ensembles, and in brass quintets.

Ligotti was born in Bronx, NY. He held a bachelor's degree from Queens College and a master's degree from Columbia University. Mr. Ligotti studied conducting under Michael Fiviesky with coaching from Pierre Monteaux. As a young man just graduated from college, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and was a member of the distinguished Coast Guard Band.

He was active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the southeast and arranged and transcribed music, with many works published and professionally recorded. He was the founder and long-time conductor of the Athens Symphony Orchestra. His accomplishments include election to full membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), he was the recipient of the 1999-2000 Bank of America Man of Achievement Award, and received the Distinguished Alumni Music Award from Queens College.

Source: Adam Hayes, associate professor of music, Berry College, Rome, GA