Meet Louise DiTullio and Burnette Dillon, Film Musicians Extraordinaire!

Married musical power-couple Louise DiTullio, flute, and Dr. Burnette Dillon, trumpet, have performed on the cutting edge of film music. If you have watched a movie made in the last 40 years, you have probably heard one if not both of them. Now retired, they are happy to tell stories and answer questions, appearing in Wille Hall on the COCC campus May 20th from 2-4. You will find yourself drawn in the mysterious world of the recording musician. This event is free.

Louise DiTullio was born into a musical family. She was the fourth DiTullio to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra before reaching the age of 20, following in the footsteps of her father and two uncles. Louise performed as Principal Flute with the Columbia Symphony, recording many of Igor Stravinky’s works under the baton of the composer.

After six years with the Philharmonic, she found success in all aspects of the Hollywood recording scene. Her playing was heard nightly on television in shows such as: Gunsmoke, Hawaii Five-O, Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and Dallas. This is only surpassed by her voluminous film work. Louise has recorded over 1200 movie soundtracks, such as Back to the Future, Dr Zhivago, E.T., Ghostbusters, Jaws, 1776, Hook, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and Warhorse. The list of film composers with whom she has collaborated includes the most distinguished names in music today. Composer John Williams, arguably the most honored film composer in history, refers to Louise as being “in the very front rank among the world’s great flutists”.

Her playing can also be heard on the albums of recording stars Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Kenny G and Michael Jackson.

Dr. Burnette Dillon has performed as a free-lance trumpet player in Los Angeles for over thirty years, performing in every facet of the music industry. He has played Principal Trumpet with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, The Los Angeles Music Center Opera, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Pasadena Symphony, Opera Pacific, The American Ballet Theater, and The Joffrey Ballet Company.

Burnette’s film work includes motion pictures such as Police Academy, Jurassic Park, Rudy, Dances with Wolves, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Alien, Matrix, and hundreds more. He has worked with composers and conductors such as John Williams, Zubin Mehta, Jerry Goldsmith, John Barry. In addition to numerous Broadway Shows, he has worked with performers such as Michael Jackson, Doc Severinson, Bruce Springsteen, and Garth Brooks.