The dermatologist who studied music under Aaron Copland: John Thorne Crissey, MD

Abstract

John Crissey was a master teacher of dermatology and its history. He also enjoyed composing music. In 1958, Crissey received the thrill of a lifetime: the opportunity to study advanced musical composition under the tutelage of Aaron Copland, the "Dean of American Composers." This contribution tells the story of that didactic experience. It also pays tribute to two remarkable men, who contributed so much to the development of their respective professions and whose music has enriched the world with its beauty.