Dr. H. Owen Reed, Zeta (Missouri) 1931, has passed away at the age of 103. A 1976 retiree from Michigan State’s music faculty, Brother Reed enjoyed an accomplished career as composer and educator. He is perhaps best known for his band works “La Fiesta Mexicana” and “For the Unfortunate,” and his other published works include a variety of compositions for orchestra, band, voice, chamber, and opera ensembles. He was also the author of eight books on music theory and composition. He served in a number of music and service positions, including Chairman of Theory and Composition for the Music Teacher’s National Association. He was also the recipient of the National Arts Award from Sigma Alpha Iota and Sinfonia’s own Orpheus Award (Gamma Epsilon 1976).
More recently, he was the recipient of the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic’s Medal of Honor in 2012. And in 2011 he was a recipient of the Fraternity’s Signature Sinfonian award. Members of Province 33 visited him to present the Signature award, and he was very appreciative of both the recognition from the Fraternity and the time taken by the brothers who attended.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia mourns the passing of Brother Reed, as we celebrate his accomplishments and gifts to American music.
