Morton Manus
Morty Manus was president of Alfred Music Publishing Co., Inc. from 1952–2016.
Alfred Music’s history began in New York City’s Tin Pan Alley in 1922, when Sam Manus, a violinist and importer of mood music for silent films, started a music publishing company and named it Manus Music. The company published primarily popular sheet music. In 1930, Sam acquired the music publisher, Alfred & Company, founded by Alfred Haase. Sam decided to combine the names and shortened it to Alfred Music, which the company is still known as today.
Sam’s son, Morty began working for Alfred Music in the late 1940s and met his wife Iris at the company when the bookkeeper, Rose Kopelman, brought her daughter to work one day. When Morty joined the company, he had recently received a business degree from City College of New York. Soon after, Sam retired and Morty became president.
Morty reinvented Alfred Music in the 1950s. Inspired by the need for quality music education products, Morty, a clarinetist and pianist, oversaw the development of an instructional series for accordion, followed by books for guitar, piano, and recorder. Alfred Music was now more than just a sheet music publisher; the company was taking its first steps to becoming the leader in music education.
Alfred Music grew significantly over the next two decades and eventually exceeded the capacity of its New York headquarters. In 1975, the main office was relocated to Los Angeles, and the distribution center was moved to upstate New York. Sharing their father’s vision, Morty’s sons, Ron and Steve joined the company; Ron in 1988 and Steve in 1992. While continuing to develop the world’s leading instructional methods and performance music, they also expanded Alfred Music internationally, establishing offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In 2005, Alfred Music purchased Warner Bros. Publications, acquiring the rights to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and beginning a long-term relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
With the support and vision of his family, Morty led Alfred Music into the 21st century by continuing to expand into new technologies while adapting to market changes and keeping its company-wide commitment to service and music education.
Alfred Music’s history began in New York City’s Tin Pan Alley in 1922, when Sam Manus, a violinist and importer of mood music for silent films, started a music publishing company and named it Manus Music. The company published primarily popular sheet music. In 1930, Sam acquired the music publisher, Alfred & Company, founded by Alfred Haase. Sam decided to combine the names and shortened it to Alfred Music, which the company is still known as today.
Sam’s son, Morty began working for Alfred Music in the late 1940s and met his wife Iris at the company when the bookkeeper, Rose Kopelman, brought her daughter to work one day. When Morty joined the company, he had recently received a business degree from City College of New York. Soon after, Sam retired and Morty became president.
Morty reinvented Alfred Music in the 1950s. Inspired by the need for quality music education products, Morty, a clarinetist and pianist, oversaw the development of an instructional series for accordion, followed by books for guitar, piano, and recorder. Alfred Music was now more than just a sheet music publisher; the company was taking its first steps to becoming the leader in music education.
Alfred Music grew significantly over the next two decades and eventually exceeded the capacity of its New York headquarters. In 1975, the main office was relocated to Los Angeles, and the distribution center was moved to upstate New York. Sharing their father’s vision, Morty’s sons, Ron and Steve joined the company; Ron in 1988 and Steve in 1992. While continuing to develop the world’s leading instructional methods and performance music, they also expanded Alfred Music internationally, establishing offices in Australia, Germany, Singapore, and the UK. In 2005, Alfred Music purchased Warner Bros. Publications, acquiring the rights to the EMI Catalogue Partnership and beginning a long-term relationship with Warner/Chappell Music.
With the support and vision of his family, Morty led Alfred Music into the 21st century by continuing to expand into new technologies while adapting to market changes and keeping its company-wide commitment to service and music education.