Dr. Danny Keith ELLIS

ELLIS, Dr. Danny Keith Nashville trumpeter, age 52, received his eternal reward on Thursday, September 9, 2010. Born in Greenville, SC, he is survived by his fiancée, Shelia Pugh of Nashville; his mother, Grace Routh Ellis of Taylors, SC; brother, Barry (Terri) Ellis; niece, Sarah Ellis and nephew, Daniel Ellis, all of Platteville, WI. Most recently employed as assistant band director at the University School of Nashville, he also serves as an adjunct faculty member at The University of the South in Sewanee, TN. He was formerly Associate Professor of Music at Belmont University and taught applied trumpet at David Lipscomb University. Before moving to Nashville in 1986, he was Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi. As a professional trumpet player, Keith has performed with numerous area musicians and small and large ensembles including symphony orchestras in Nashville, Chattanooga, Sewanee, Tupelo, MS and Greenville, SC. Dr. Ellis received his undergraduate degree in music education at Furman University in Greenville, SC; masters degree at the University of North Texas and doctorate of arts degree at the University of Mississippi. Keith loved playing his trumpet in all musical genres and conducted all types of musical ensembles. He shared his love for music with many students as a teacher, conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He enjoyed opportunities to work with church musicians and performed on his trumpet in many area churches. Additionally he enjoyed opportunities to direct musical ensembles and choirs and loved the people with whom he worked. He was preceded in death by his father, Dan Atkins Ellis; a longtime band director and music educator at Furman University in Greenville, SC. He was awarded Outstanding Band Director by Phi Beta Mu, Outstanding Teacher Award from the TN Governor's School for the Arts and Outstanding Teacher Award from the SC Governor's School for the Arts. His professional and academic association memberships included; American Federation of Musicians, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, International Trumpet Guild and Music Educators National Conference. The family would like to thank the staff and physicians at the Neuroscience ICU at Skyline Medical Center for his care during the final week of his life. A time of visitation and musical offerings will be held Sunday, Sept. 12th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home and at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, Sept. 13th from 4 to 5:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Keith's memory to the music scholarship fund at Furman University in Greenville, SC. 29609. A musical tribute to his life will begin with prelude music at 5:30 before the 6 p.m. service at St. Joseph. At the conclusion of services in Nashville, graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 15th at 10a.m. in Taylors Cemetery of First Baptist Church in Taylors, SC with Dr. Jimmy Harley officiating. Thomas McAfee Funeral Home in Greenville, SC will be in charge of arrangements 864-232-6733. SPRING HILL FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY at the corner of Briley Parkway and Gallatin Rd., (615)865-1101.