Prolific Twin Cities composer Hiram Edson Titus, who wrote music for theater, film, television, dance and theme parks, has died unexpectedly, according to his family.

Titus, 66, who passed away Monday, according to his nephew, Chris Titus, created scores for such plays as "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie and "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" at the Children's Theatre.

A child prodigy who began playing piano by ear, Titus studied piano with Dominick Argento, the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, at 12. He was a soloist for the Minneapolis Symphony at 14. He won a Van Cliburn Scholarship to the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich.

After graduating from Oberlin College, he became composer-in-residence at the Children's Theatre, where he worked on many shows. He composed the score for the theater's productions of "Peter Pan" and "The Three Musketeers." "Bartholomew Cubbins," perhaps his best-known show, toured China and Japan.

"Christmas Carol" was seen by generations of Twin Citians.

Services are pending.