John Armesto

John Burke Armesto's many works include symphonic and choral compositions, as well as music for various smaller chamber ensembles. Born in Buffalo, he began violin study at the age of eight, but due to a broken wrist four years later, he turned his attention to the piano, and later to composing. During World War II he served as a Combat Infantryman in the Philippine Invasion, and was subsequently wounded in the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, he attended the Eastman School of Music, where he majored in Musical Composition, studying with Howard Hanson, Burrill Phillips, and Bernard Rogers. The father of five children, he supported his family over the years through teaching and work in the insurance, real estate, and investment fields.