Houston White, Sr. and Ruby (Hunter) White, Edward grew up on a farm in Red Oak, GA.
He studied piano, guitar, and clarinet, and in high school was named the Outstanding Clarinetist in the state. He was also a football player who was recruited by Baylor School for Boys in his senior year, and went on to play football at Auburn University and Georgia Tech. After enlisting in the Army from 1954-1956, he attended The Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where he received his Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction and Master of Music degree with Performer’s Certificates in Voice and Opera.
Edward began his professional career with the Stuttgart Opera in Germany, was a resident artist with
the Southern Regional Opera when it opened in the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, and sang as
principal artist with opera companies in the United States and Europe. He gave over 400 performances
of 25 major operatic roles as well as sang oratorio and recitals.
Although he had a long performing career, Edward’s passion was teaching. He taught at Florida State
University and DePauw University before coming to the University of Alabama in 1975, where he was
Professor, Coordinator of the Voice Area, and Director of Opera. Upon his retirement 2001, he was
awarded the title of Professor Emeritus and continued to teach privately for 19 years. Long regarded as
an outstanding pedagogue, his students achieved national and international successes.
Edward was a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists, Pi Kappa Lambda, and ODK, a life
member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and a long-time member and President of Alabama NATS. He served
as Governor of Alabama National Opera Association and as Chairman of the AMTA College Division in
Voice. He also served First Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa as a deacon, a choir member, and twice as interim choir director.
An avid golfer, Edward was also a devoted student of the game. He loved reading about golf, watching
golf on television, and could even be found walking the tree-lined fairways with a bucket, looking for lost
balls. Golf was also an opportunity for him to gather with friends, to enjoy being outside, and of course
to teach his children and friends what he had learned in the decades of practicing, studying, and playing
the game he loved.
Edward was also a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was grateful for his
blessings and his family. He is survived by his wife of 52 years Karen (Kaufmann) White, daughter Valerie White, son Edward C. White Jr. (Kay), daughter Katherine White (Jonathan Auger), and grandchildren Evelyn and Thomas White and Grayson and Madeleine Auger.
A memorial service will be held at a later date when family and friends can safely come together. A
private burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.
Memorials can be made to the Music Fund at First Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa, AL
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