Leroy Hurte

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Leroy E. Hurte (May 2, 1915 – April 16, 2011) was an American businessman and musician. He worked as a conductor, composer, educator, author, guitarist, vocalist, music store owner, and record producer. Hurte was one of the few Black symphony conductors in the United States and did much of his work in Los Angeles.

Early life and education
Hurte was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. His father was Black and his mother was a member of the Creek tribe. In 1927 his family moved to Los Angeles, where he attended Jefferson High School. He studied at the Juilliard School in New York City and studied with Léon Barzin, Darrell Calker, Everett Lee, and Emanuel Balaban.

Career highlights
- 1938–1939: Operated Flash Record Store in Los Angeles.
- 1939–1950: Owned and produced Bronze Recording Company.
- 1958–1968: Founding conductor of the Angel City Symphony Orchestra.
- Also conducted as a guest with the Fresno Philharmonic, Compton Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Inglewood Philharmonic.
- 1958–1960: Founded Leroy Hurte School of Music in Los Angeles.
- 1960–1968: Ran Lyric Music Store and sold sheet music.
- 1958–1967: Published Lyric magazine; re-established the magazine in May 1970 in Hanford, California.
- 1968–1971: Owned radio station KOAD-LP in Hanford.
- Publications include So You're the Choir Director? A Handbook for the Choir and its Director (1984) and The Magic of Music: An Autobiography (1997).
- Film: Memories and Melodies (1935), a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short musical film.

Interviews and later life
In July 1995 Hurte was interviewed for three days by Steven L. Isoardi of the UCLA Oral History Program, where he discussed his life and work.

Death and legacy
Leroy Hurte died on April 16, 2011, at age 95. He is buried at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley, California. He left a legacy as a conductor, teacher, publisher, and performer who helped shape Los Angeles’ musical landscape.

Publications
- So You're the Choir Director? A Handbook for the Choir and its Director (1984)
- The Magic of Music: An Autobiography (1997)

Filmography
- Memories and Melodies (1935) — MGM short musical film

See also
- Bihari brothers
- Dean Dixon