Ian Morton Obituary

Morton, Ian A. September 27, 1914 - May 25, 2008 Preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jean Morton. He is survived by five children, David Morton, Priscilla Morton, Katharine Austin, Christopher Morton, and Roshana (Mary) Ariel, and two grandchildren, Elias and Adrienne. Ian grew up in St. Paul, graduated from Central HS and Macalester College, and earned a master's degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York. During World War II, he served as a U.S. Army lieutenant in the Philippines. From 1951 to 1967, he was on the faculty of Macalester College, first as choral director and later as chairman of the department. His choirs were selected to perform the major choral works with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. He was a pioneer in the use of electronics in music, creating some of the earliest electronic compositions. Later in life he entered a new career as an acoustical consultant, and was among the first to develop computer programs for acoustical applications. He was a member of St. Paul's Church on the Hill for more than 50 years, serving as music director for many of those years. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Church on the Hill, 1524 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, at 10 a.m. on Friday. Memorials preferred to the church.