About the Author

Morton Manus was a musician, author, and president of Alfred Music.

Founded in New York in 1922 by composer and musician Alfred Piantodosi, Alfred Music was purchased by Morton's father Sam Manus in 1928. A classical violinist, Sam decided to change the company's focus from pop sheet music to educational print music, and added many solos for accordion and wind instruments. When Morty joined the company in 1952, he had recently received a business degree from the City College of New York. Soon after, Sam retired and Morton became president.

A clarinetist and pianist who received extensive musical training in his youth, Morton felt inspired by the need for quality music education products. Drawing upon his musical experience, he oversaw the development of an instructional series for accordion, followed by books for guitar and piano. Alfred's catalog consists of more than 45,000 active titles, making Alfred the world's largest educational music publisher. Morton was also the author and editor of numerous titles in Alfred's catalog, including many books in Alfred's Basic Piano Library.