Raymond Ericson
Encyclopedia
Raymond Ericson was an American music critic who wrote articles for The New York Times
for 30 years.
. In the late 1930s he worked as an associate music and drama critic for The Chicago Tribune. He served in the United States Army Air Corps
(USAAC) during World War II
from 1939-1942.
After the USAAC was disbanded in March 1942, Ericson moved back to Brooklyn where he obtained the post of organist and choir director of the Pilgrim Covenant Church. He also worked as press agent for a theatrical production company in Manhattan. In 1949 he became a staff writer at Musical America
, and was later promoted to position of managing editor at that magazine in the mid-1950's. In 1960 he left that job to join the music editorial staff at The New York Times
where he first worked as the editor of the Sunday recordings page. He quickly began writing music criticism for the newspaper as well; eventually writing the weekly news column Music Notes as well as additional feature articles and concert and record reviews. He retired in 1981, but continued to do freelance work for The New York Times up until 1990 when he suffered a debilitating stroke.
Ericson lived in retirement in Sherman, Connecticut
with his life partner Frank Milburn. He died in 1997 at the age of 82 at Danbury Hospital
.
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
for 30 years.
Life and career
Born in Brooklyn, Ericson earned an associate degree in mathematics from North Park Junior College in Chicago in 1934, and then earned bachelors degrees in mathematics and music from the University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In the late 1930s he worked as an associate music and drama critic for The Chicago Tribune. He served in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
(USAAC) during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
from 1939-1942.
After the USAAC was disbanded in March 1942, Ericson moved back to Brooklyn where he obtained the post of organist and choir director of the Pilgrim Covenant Church. He also worked as press agent for a theatrical production company in Manhattan. In 1949 he became a staff writer at Musical America
Musical America
Musical America is the oldest American magazine on classical music. Presently it is a website with a weekly online magazine. It is currently published by UBM Global Trade.-History:...
, and was later promoted to position of managing editor at that magazine in the mid-1950's. In 1960 he left that job to join the music editorial staff at The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
where he first worked as the editor of the Sunday recordings page. He quickly began writing music criticism for the newspaper as well; eventually writing the weekly news column Music Notes as well as additional feature articles and concert and record reviews. He retired in 1981, but continued to do freelance work for The New York Times up until 1990 when he suffered a debilitating stroke.
Ericson lived in retirement in Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman, Connecticut
Sherman is the northernmost and least populous town of Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,581 at the 2010 census. The town is named for New Haven's Founding Father, Roger Sherman....
with his life partner Frank Milburn. He died in 1997 at the age of 82 at Danbury Hospital
Danbury Hospital
Danbury Hospital is a 371-bed hospital in Danbury, Connecticut serving patients in Fairfield County, Connecticut and Putnam County, New York.The hospital has 3,300 employees. John M. Murphy, M.D...
.