Posted by rapunzell_ny (anonymous) on May 26, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mrs. Burt was a huge talent and an extremely dedicated music teacher. She brought music into my life (as well as so many others) and it has forever changed me. She knew God had given her a tremendous gift (as did we all!) and dedicated her whole life to sharing it selflessly with everyone and anyone. She took her talent and this mission very seriously, and as a result, so did we, her students.

Mrs. Burt had an astounding taste and discernment when it came to music. I remember when she would drive us to Festival in Summit every year-- we would walk through those doors and feel a little shock of pride being seen with her. Every kid in the room knew Mrs. Burt, and perhaps feared her a little, because she was notoriously the toughest judge with the most discerning ear. Everyone knew they had to step up their game when she was in the room.

I think about Mrs. Burt often. I am sending my prayers and my condolences to her family during this difficult time.
And I am sending my love to you Mrs. Burt.

Heather Christian
Student of 15 years

Posted by jaber (anonymous) on May 27, 2008 at 4:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Doris Burt was one of THE great influences of my young musical life. Her teaching of music through the playing of the piano to me, and her tireless devotion to the nurturing of my talent as a pianist and total musician are aspects of my life that greatly helped to give me a career in music.

I could never possibly recount all of the hours that I spent in her home located behind Twin Oaks...as a young man, I thought that I was going into the Palace of Versailles! There were paintings, artifacts, lovely furniture and that BEAUTIFUL Knabe piano of which she was so proud. It had a vase on it that Mr. Burt had given to her that read: "The Light Of Your Music Illuminates The World"...I can still see it now.

And, I have strong memories of her huge music and record collection as well as that STUNNING formal portrait of her that hung in her dining room. I thought (and still do) that she was a movie star.

You see, studying piano with Doris Burt was FAR MORE than going for a piano lesson...it was TOTAL immersion into a world that was very separate from one's average day at school in Natchez. It was time where I learned of the great pianists and musicians of every age. Some of these legendary personalities follow in my teaching to this very day.

i loved the sound that she made at the piano...and greatly admired her technical facility which she had gleaned from studying with the masters of her era. She sent me to study in college with one of her teachers. It was through that link that I learned ALL about the sounds that I had heard her make all those previous years. She was ALL about sound at the "bottom of the key" on the piano...and, I am so grateful for the path on which she set my future studies. Those influences are with me everytime I play a piano professionally and personally as well. Studying with Doris Burt was indeed a TOTAL immersion into the world of art and music and laughter.

I am very sorry to learn of her passing...and truly apologetic for not being able to be present for her funeral service later this morning.

Today is already bringing a flood of memories that will stir me toward the two performances I am doing later this evening with a large group of young people. I will tell them all about her before we perform tonight.

All of you in her family have my prayers for comfort at this time of loss, and gratitude for sharing her with me and so many of us through the years.

Sincerely, and with gratitude and love to Doris Batson Pressgrove Burt for music and laughter,

Tom Jaber - Houston, Texas
student from 1969-1971

Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on May 27, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To the family of Mrs. Burt,

Wow, what an impressive lady! She taught me piano and slipped a little voice in the lesson every now and again..especially around recital time. She was such a motivator and a great mentor. She pushed me to practice, practice, practice at least a minimum of 2 hours everyday! Although, I didn't quite practice for 2 hours everyday, I amazingly recieved superior every time during Festival! I owe it all to Mrs. Burt.

I can also smell the cold curry soup she brought for lunch during many of my lessons. Her remarkable stories of Mr. Burt and things he bought her from Neiman Marcus (she would wear them often and tell me the story behind this scarf or this ring)A movie star she was. So, fascinating...worldly and traveled.

Although I took piano for many years, there did come a time in my life that I thought sports were more important and unfortunately stopped taking lessons. Boy, how I regret that decision. I hope one day to own a piano and take up lessons again. I will forever remember Mrs. Burt and the values she taught me.

Condolences to the family and she will always be remembered in my heart.

Erin Frazier Jackson
Student from 1990-1994

Posted by PHILIPCOPELAND (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I join these other former students in remembering our Mrs. Burt. Like Tommy, I am now a professional musician and serve as Associate Professor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where I hold the title "Director of Choral Activities."

Mrs. Burt was a kind woman with incredibly high standards for her students. If you weren't practicing, you didn't have a very happy lesson.

If you stayed with her long enough, as most of us did, you learned a tremendous amount about composers and the fundamentals of music. She taught me more music theory than I learned during my first two years as a music major at the University of Mississippi.

I remember the long Saturdays I spent at her house. I remember her teaching about beautiful musical phrasing - about singing the melody - about the importance of steady beats and counting.

I didn't become a great pianist, but I play better than many. Later, I found my true calling as a director of choirs. The lessons she taught me, however, stay with me to this day. She gave me the tools that I now take for granted . . . I don't think about "how" to play something, I just play.

I'm not sure where I would be now if it hadn't been for Mrs. Burt. I would never have found choral music; I would have never conducted at some prestigious places; I would have never taught the students that I teach now.

I'm sad that Mrs. Burt is no longer with us . . . but her influence certainly is. She is a part of every choral performance I give and every note that I ever play.

I miss her.

philip copeland
student from 1977-1985

Posted by jondarski (anonymous) on September 15, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will always remember Mrs Burt and what great recitals she put on. I'm thankful my mother Ora found Mrs Burt. My sympathy and my heart goes out to all her family and friends. I will always be thankful to Mrs Burt, because I have my music to help me through difficult times. What ever they maybe. I went to Mrs Burt for piano lessons from 1972-2005, so I learned to love her greatly, and admire her alot.
So long Mrs Burt, I'll see you in heaven!
Angela Varnado