Raymond Page

Raymond Page Raymond Page, violinist/violist, beloved father and cherished friend, has passed away on January 4, 2016 at the age of 82, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was committed to practicing his violin every day of his life, whether preparing for a performance, or simply perfecting his technique. He continued to practice until the very last days of his life. He began studying the violin at the age of four and became a pupil of Ivan Galamian at Meadowmount at age 13. He also studied with Joseph Gingold. He continued working with Galamian at Juilliard, and studied ensemble with Hans Letz. He received a B.S. degree in 1955 from Juilliard School of Music. During 1957-58 he studied at the Akademie fur Musik in Vienna and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg as a Fulbright Scholar. He was a member of the quartet chosen to represent Austria at the Brussels World's Fair. In 1960, he received a MA in Music Theory from Ohio State University. He appeared in recital and as soloist with orchestras in the South and in New York. Raymond joined the Alard String Quartet as violinist in 1958, becoming the violist in 1960. The Quartet was in residence at Wilmington College until 1962, when they moved to the Pennsylvania State University. As a member of the faculties in both schools, Raymond played concerts with the Quartet and taught violin/viola and coached chamber music groups. The Quartet toured extensively around the northeast. In 1961 they did a US Information Service month-long tour of Mexico, playing Quartet concerts in large cities and small towns. They spent the summers of 1961 and 1962 in residence at the State University of New York at Potsdam. In 1963 the Quartet was invited to The University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, to be in residence there. They spent portions of 1963, 1964, 1981 and 1982 in New Zealand, playing for enthusiastic audiences throughout the country. Raymond served as a faculty member of the Yale Summer School and performed with the Yale String Quartet, with whom he played at the International Music Festival in Spain. He performed at the Claremont Music Festival at Pomona College in California and played and coached at the Bennington (Vermont) Chamber Music Conference. He was a member of the Harrisburg (PA), Dayton, Springfield, & Columbus (OH) Symphonies at various times, and taught many private pupils as well. In 1967 The Alard Quartet performed at Carnegie Recital Hall in NYC. The New York Times reviewer's comment about the concert was, "four admirably balanced instrumentalists, who brought vitality, cohesion, and solid musicianship to their readings." Ray's beloved wife, Joan Elliott Page, passed away almost exactly one year ago, on January 5th 2015. Ray and Joan were married in 1981, a second marriage for both, and they enjoyed traveling together and visited Europe, New Zealand, Russia and many other places, meeting wonderful friends along the way. After Ray's retirement, Joan and Ray enjoyed windsurfing and camping in their RV, traveling in the US and back and forth to their winter home in Melbourne, FL. In the early 1990's, Ray and Joan became interested in helping to rescue retired greyhound racing dogs. After their first adoption, they were hooked. They were loving caregivers to their greyhounds, always owning at least one or two from that time on. Their last precious dog, Summer, stayed with them until just last year. Their pets were very precious to them, and Ray would love donations to Greyhound Rescue organizations or to fund Alzheimer's Research in his name, in lieu of flowers. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethel Page, his brother Lewis Page, and sister Ellen Glover. Raymond is survived by his sister Tillie Freeman (and husband Jack) of Glens Falls, NY, and nieces Heather Nelson, Barbara Lois Helms and Jeanine Glover Miller, and nephews Hugh and Carl Farmer and Lew and Walt Page. He also leaves behind his two children, Kenneth Page of Palm Bay, FL and Annie Hovis-Williams (and husband James), of Nyack, NY, a sister-in-law, Madge McKinley, his former wife, Overda Stonerock (mother of Kenneth), his grandchildren, Sarah Page, Cole and AJ Hovis, Eva Williams, Devon Birek-Collins, Stefan Birek, Michaela Birek, Jonathan Birek, Brandtly Ward, Landen Nesbitt, two great grandchildren, Bentley Ward and Paul Martin Collins, and two step- children, Barbara Nesbitt-Birek (and husband Paul), and Russ Nesbitt (and wife Deb). To honor and commemorate his life and contributions to the music community of State College, PA, friends and family are planning a special recital in his memory. Since Raymond's first love was chamber music, the recital will mirror the gathering of friends sharing music and socializing as was the tradition in the days of Baroque musicians. Musicians who knew Ray are invited to play as part of this musical tribute to him. Anyone interested in contributing to the program is asked to contact Annie Hovis-Williams (daughter) or Donald Hopkins (friend and former quartet member) to express their desire to be added to the program. We hope everyone who would like to, will feel welcome to join in this celebration of his life. It will be held in the Spring, and another announcement will be made closer to the recital date. A private burial will be held in State College, where Raymond will be laid to rest with his wife at Spring Creek Cemetery.