1927
Albert
2015
Albert Ligotti
February 26, 1927 — September 12, 2015
Albert F. Ligotti, beloved husband, father, teacher, and friend, 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.
Mr. Ligotti was born in Bronx, NY where he lived until 1968 when he moved to Athens, GA with his wife
and daughters to begin a teaching career at the University of Georgia's Music Department. An Associate Professor Emeritus of Music, 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 UGA Faculty Brass Quintet, and served as music director of the Opera/MusicTheatre in association with the UGA Department of Drama and Theatre.
Prior to his appointment at UGA, Mr. 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.
Mr. Ligotti studied conducting under Michael Fiviesky with coaching from Pierre Monteaux. He held a bachelor's degree from Queen's College and a master's degree from Columbia University. 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. 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 Queen's College.
As a young man just graduated from Queen's College, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and was a member of their distinguished Coast Guard Band. The Band developed an international reputation as one of the finest professional concert bands in the world, offering music of great variety and appeal, and he was proud and privileged to be a part of that organization.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Ligotti was approached about forming a community orchestra in the Athens, GA area. With the help of the then Office of Cultural Affairs and Jill Read, its director, the plans went ahead, and in
the Fall of 1978 the first Board of Directors was selected and the Symphony's charter received from the State of Georgia. In the month of January 1979, the Symphony began rehearsing in the band room of Clarke Central High School and subsequently presented its first concert on April 29, 1979, in Mell Auditorium. Thereafter, under his leadership, grateful musicians who had been given the opportunity to play before family, friends and the community through the Athens Symphony performed consistently before enthusiastic audiences of 2,000 in the Classic Center. Due to health considerations, in 2012 Mr. Ligotti handed over his baton to Susan Dinwiddie, and the Symphony Orchestra, that marvelous gift to the Athens community begun so long ago, continues to this day.
Patrons of the Athens Symphony continue to be delighted with the elegant bronze sculpture of Maestro Albert Ligotti produced by Gregory Johnson, Artist. This sculpture can be seen in the lobby of the Classic Center. the Symphony's home since 1996.
Mr. Ligotti is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Arlene F. Ligotti, daughter Fran Rothman Prince of Athens, GA, and his brother Raymond Ligotti of Long Island, NY. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jeannie Rothman and his parents Victor and Tilly Ligotti of Athens, GA.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. Friends who wish may make
a memorial contribution honoring Maestro Albert F. Ligotti to the Athens Symphony, P.O. Box 5244, Athens, GA 30604.
No service is planned at this time.
Mr. Ligotti was born in Bronx, NY where he lived until 1968 when he moved to Athens, GA with his wife
and daughters to begin a teaching career at the University of Georgia's Music Department. An Associate Professor Emeritus of Music, 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 UGA Faculty Brass Quintet, and served as music director of the Opera/MusicTheatre in association with the UGA Department of Drama and Theatre.
Prior to his appointment at UGA, Mr. 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.
Mr. Ligotti studied conducting under Michael Fiviesky with coaching from Pierre Monteaux. He held a bachelor's degree from Queen's College and a master's degree from Columbia University. 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. 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 Queen's College.
As a young man just graduated from Queen's College, he chose to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Coast Guard and was a member of their distinguished Coast Guard Band. The Band developed an international reputation as one of the finest professional concert bands in the world, offering music of great variety and appeal, and he was proud and privileged to be a part of that organization.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Ligotti was approached about forming a community orchestra in the Athens, GA area. With the help of the then Office of Cultural Affairs and Jill Read, its director, the plans went ahead, and in
the Fall of 1978 the first Board of Directors was selected and the Symphony's charter received from the State of Georgia. In the month of January 1979, the Symphony began rehearsing in the band room of Clarke Central High School and subsequently presented its first concert on April 29, 1979, in Mell Auditorium. Thereafter, under his leadership, grateful musicians who had been given the opportunity to play before family, friends and the community through the Athens Symphony performed consistently before enthusiastic audiences of 2,000 in the Classic Center. Due to health considerations, in 2012 Mr. Ligotti handed over his baton to Susan Dinwiddie, and the Symphony Orchestra, that marvelous gift to the Athens community begun so long ago, continues to this day.
Patrons of the Athens Symphony continue to be delighted with the elegant bronze sculpture of Maestro Albert Ligotti produced by Gregory Johnson, Artist. This sculpture can be seen in the lobby of the Classic Center. the Symphony's home since 1996.
Mr. Ligotti is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Arlene F. Ligotti, daughter Fran Rothman Prince of Athens, GA, and his brother Raymond Ligotti of Long Island, NY. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jeannie Rothman and his parents Victor and Tilly Ligotti of Athens, GA.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. Friends who wish may make
a memorial contribution honoring Maestro Albert F. Ligotti to the Athens Symphony, P.O. Box 5244, Athens, GA 30604.
No service is planned at this time.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Albert Ligotti, please visit our flower store.
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