John Worley
Music teacher, composer, friend.
John Worley, a former college professor and acclaimed composer for classical saxophone, died on Feb 16, 1999.
Mr. Worley taught at the University of Bridgeport, State University of NY at Oneonta and the University of Maine in Orono before moving to Williamsburg, VA in 1996. He organized the Williamsburg Saxophone Quartet and was the group's soprano saxophonist.
He was born in Waltham, Mass and graduated from Oberlin Conservatory and the Columbia Teachers College. He studied composition with Sir Lennox Berkeley in England and conduction with Pierre Monteux in Maine. John performed with the Saxophone Sinfonia at Lincoln Center, NY, the Cape Cod Orchestra and was an active participant at several Rascher Workshops and the Institute in Louisville , KY.
After he retired from teaching, John focused on composing and arranging. The saxophone world owes a great debt to him for his many wonderful arrangements for saxophone ensembles. His original compositions include "Concerto for Saxophone", "Penobscot Suite", and "Owls Head Sonatina".
To his many saxophone playing friends, John was a genuine, warm-hearted man with an enthusiasm for the saxophone and its music that was boundless. He will be missed greatly. My sincerest sympathy is extended to Mrs Norma Worley and his family.
-Gayle Fredenburgh
Mr. Worley taught at the University of Bridgeport, State University of NY at Oneonta and the University of Maine in Orono before moving to Williamsburg, VA in 1996. He organized the Williamsburg Saxophone Quartet and was the group's soprano saxophonist.
He was born in Waltham, Mass and graduated from Oberlin Conservatory and the Columbia Teachers College. He studied composition with Sir Lennox Berkeley in England and conduction with Pierre Monteux in Maine. John performed with the Saxophone Sinfonia at Lincoln Center, NY, the Cape Cod Orchestra and was an active participant at several Rascher Workshops and the Institute in Louisville , KY.
After he retired from teaching, John focused on composing and arranging. The saxophone world owes a great debt to him for his many wonderful arrangements for saxophone ensembles. His original compositions include "Concerto for Saxophone", "Penobscot Suite", and "Owls Head Sonatina".
To his many saxophone playing friends, John was a genuine, warm-hearted man with an enthusiasm for the saxophone and its music that was boundless. He will be missed greatly. My sincerest sympathy is extended to Mrs Norma Worley and his family.
-Gayle Fredenburgh
