David Price, Otterbein’s vocal and opera professor who passed away Monday, Sept. 2 from cancer, will be honored in two recitals presented by the Otterbein University Department of Music on Sept. 14 and 15.
Price, 56, had a bout with stomach cancer after being diagnosed in mid-July. As stated in his obituary, he was a professional singer who performed with Opera Columbus, Columbus Light Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Westerville Symphony and Lincoln Community Playhouse. He became the first artistic director for the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus as well as an artistic musical director for the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus. Price was also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Price taught voice and vocal pedagogy at Otterbein. He was loved and respected by his students.
“David was the same type of teacher he was as a man: caring, hardworking and no-nonsense,” said Krystal Simpson, a senior musical theater major.
To honor his teachings and impact at Otterbein, there will be two recitals performed by both students and faculty.
The first recital is themed “The Promise of Living,” and will be performed by Price’s former students, singing as they have been as instructed by Price. Solo and chamber vocal music from both classical and musical theater collections will be played. The event will conclude with Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living” from The Tender Land. It will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Church of the Master United Methodist.
The other event, a faculty showcase, will be presented by music faculty members. Solo and chamber music from numerous genres and original compositions will be presented by Otterbein faculty members. This recital will take place on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in Riley Auditorium at Battelle Fine Arts Center.
Both concerts are free and open to the public.
There is also to be a memorial service in commemoration of David Price’s life on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dublin, OH.
