Jere Trent Hutcheson

Born on September 16, 1938, in Marietta, Georgia, Jere left this life on August 8, 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife and soulmate of 41 years, Mary Gayley Cleland Hutcheson. Jere knew immediately when he met Mary in January of 1982 that “she was the one”. After just 35 days, Jere popped the question, and they were married in June 1982. Together they enjoyed international travel, concerts, theater, books, courses in language, art, and history, and, most of all, family.

Jere was also preceded in death by his parents Robert and Christine Hutcheson, half brother Bob Hutcheson, half sister Eleanor Hutcheson Lamacchia, and step daughter Elizabeth Cleland Edenton.

He is survived by his daughter Amy West and husband Brian, granddaughters Loren Darin and Josie West, great grandson Zander West, stepson Joshua Cleland and wife Cathy, step granddaughters Abigail Cleland and Sophie Cleland, step grandson Carlisle Edenton, nephew Bobby Hutcheson, and niece Nell Hutcheson.

Hutcheson earned his Bachelor’s degree from Stetson University, two Master’s degrees from Louisiana State University, and a Ph.D degree in Music Composition from Michigan State University.

Musical composition was his passion. He wrote many compositions on commission, and over 60 of his compositions are published. Orchestra, band, chorus, chamber groups, and piano were his favorite media. He was awarded fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Berkshire Music Center. In 1976 he was named Distinguished Composer of the Year by the National Music Teachers Association. His several textbooks on music include the widely used Musical Form and Analysis (Waveland Press).

Jere’s ashes will be interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Kane, Pennsylvania. The family will gather for a private celebration of Jere’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jere’s memory may be made to the Michigan State University College of Music.