The Lancaster Festival Remembers Michael Davis
 |
Michael Davis, Lancaster Festival Orchestra concertmaster (1985-2007), passed away on March 2, 2008.
"The whole atmosphere of the Lancaster Festival is one of joy, civic pride and love. The warmth which comes so
readily forth from the whole town is such a rarity to find these days, but in the case of the Festival it extends from the people of
Lancaster, to the organizers of the Festival...and also from within the Orchestra where a remarkable feeling
of collegiality makes us all want to play together to help make the Festival the wonderful success story it has become. I have very.
cherished memories of so many performances of which I have been a part."
- Michael Davis
|
Music and the arts have the amazing abililty to bring people together, people of
disparate backgrounds, ages and cultures, whom by some unseen force, unite together as
family. And so it was with the gentle father of our Orchestra, Michael Davis, whose passion
for musicmaking, brilliant talent and dedication to the community touched us all for a quarter
of a century. Fortunately for us, Michael's legacy will last many years. The magnificent string
section owes much to Michael's own beautiful sound and his guidance.
A number of his students continue to play in the Orchestra and a gifted young violinist each year
wili be awarded the Michael Davis Fellowship and perform with the Orchestra.
Now it is your time to be in the audience Michael. May heavenly choruses shower you
with songs of peace, harmony and love, as you gave so readily to all of us.
- Gary Sheldon
|
2008 Davis Fellow
Megan Faye Oswalt, born in Mansfield, Ohio, began violin lessons at the age of 7 with Elva Newdome, and was sent to study with Michael Davis at the age of 13. Megan flourished under Michael’s direction. Ms. Oswalt now studies with Beth Newdome, at the Florida State University School of Music, where she will be a senior this coming year. Over the past few years Megan has soloed with the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra, advanced to the semifinals of the International Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, has been named concertmistress in various ensembles and has taken master classes with artists such as Charles Wetherbee and Charlie Castleman. Ms. Oswalt feels honored to be selected for the Michael Davis Fellowship this year at the Lancaster Festival and is thankful and proud to have been one of his students.
|
2008 Davis Fellow: Meagan Oswalt
|
Friends of Michael Davis Memorial Fund
The Lancaster Festival announces the
establishment of a fund to honor Michael Davis
- concertmaster, soloist, mentor and friend of the
Festival from 1984 to 2008.
A world renowned violin soloist and recording
artist, Mr. Davis was equally gifted as a teacher,
inspiring dozens of young violinists, several of
whom earned positions in the Lancaster Festival
Orchestra. This keen interest in encouraging and
promoting his students is reflected in the stated
purpose of the Fund:
'As a lasting memorial to Michael Davis, this
fund will provide annual feilowship positions in
the Lancaster Festival Orchestra to promising
young violinists."
Contributions may be sent to:
Fairfield County Foundation
Friends of Michael Davis Memorial Fund
162 East Main Street
P.O. Box 159
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
|
Columbus Dispatch Notice ~ Obituary
SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL condolences.
From Lou Ross, Lancaster Festival Executive Director:
Michael Davis added greatly to the spirit of the Lancaster Festival and the Festival Orchestra. He understood what drove the special people in this community to produce this Festival year after year, loved them for it and gave them thanks through his years of dedicated leadership and superb playing as the Festival concertmaster. Michael was a joy to be with and to listen to. He was a teacher, believing in the musicians of tomorrow, doing his best to give assistance along the way. He will be sorely missed in this community. Our hearts reach out to his loved ones, family and friends.
|
Schubert Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 114 “The Trout”
with members of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, 2007 |
Michael Davis, Maestro Sheldon, Jon Kimura Parker discussing the finer points of Beethoven Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5, "Emperor", 1995 |
After-concert moment with fellow violinist Darrell Murray, 2007 |
After the concert, with Arnett Howard, 2007 |
Soloists for Bach Brandenburg Concerto #2, 2007
Elizabeth Robertson, Michael Davis, Margaret Swinchoski |
Backstage before "Crescendo!", 2007 |
|
Preparing to Tune the Orchestra, 2007 |
Mendelssohn Concerto for violin and Orchestra in E Minor OP. 64, 2005 |
|
