George Frederick McKay (1899–1970), known as the “Dean of Northwest Composers,” was a prolific American composer and influential music professor at the University of Washington from 1927 to 1968. Born in Harrington, Washington, and raised in Spokane, he defied his father's wishes for a business career and pursued music, eventually earning the first composition degree from the Eastman School of Music. McKay taught in several states before settling in Washington and became part of a vibrant musical network, interacting with figures like John Cage, Villa-Lobos, Copland, Gershwin, and Stokowski. His orchestral works were widely performed and broadcast, including premieres by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony and the Indianapolis Symphony. Also a skilled violinist and violist, McKay conducted many of his own works and received numerous honors and commissions, including a prize from Jascha Heifetz for his Violin Concerto. Passionate about dance and movement, he collaborated with avant-garde artists such as Henry Cowell, John Cage, and Bonnie Bird, and his dance-related works remain notable. A dedicated educator, McKay’s students included William Bolcom, Earl Robinson, and John Cage. He authored influential music theory books still in use today. McKay held string quartets in the highest regard, composing at least four major works in the form between 1935 and 1950. These quartets reflect American themes, life experiences, and world events, combining the spirit of the American West with mid-20th-century innovation. Some were adapted for string orchestra and performed by major ensembles. McKay believed deeply that “art is part of living,” a philosophy reflected in a lifetime of music rooted in personal and national identity.