George Cacioppo

Composer and educator George Cacioppo was a co-founder from the ONCE Group, a 1960s Ann Arbor composing collective that included Robert Ashley, Gordon Mumma, Donald Scavarda, Roger Reynolds, and Robert Sheff (“Blue” Gene Tyranny). Although some of Cacioppo’s experimental functions are essential in themselves, including “Period promptly in Wonders,” “Holy Ghost Vacuum,” and “Cassiopeia,” Cacioppo’s biggest influence was through his years of teaching. His previous pupil Gérard Pape constructed “In Memoriam: George Cacioppo” for eight trombones, tape, and percussion, upon hearing of Cacioppo’s loss of life in Apr, 1984. Various other composer close friends and collaborators had been similarly inspired, leading to “Four Fold Center Sutra” by Robert Morris, Mumma’s “Epifont,” and “Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano” by William Albright.