The College mourns the loss of David Nelson, Professor and former Director of the School of Music (1991-2000 and 2008-10) and founding Director of the Division of Performing Arts (2000-05). David also served as interim chair of the Department of Dance (2002-03). David died on October 13, 2010.

David was an exceptional leader and valued colleague, highly respected for the grace with which he directed complex organizations and for his ability to achieve consensus. His guidance was gentle, steady, and good-natured. He created the structure that brought together the UI’s School of Music, Department of Dance, and Department of Theatre Arts into a successful and cohesive Division of Performing Arts.

David served his profession as an elected member of the Commission on Accreditation for the National Association of Schools of Music. The respect in which his judgment and leadership were held is indicated by the many external accreditation committees he served on for national, regional, university, and state agencies.

He was a dedicated teacher, committed to excellence in the artistic development of students in the School and the Division. His own artistic career included both violin performance and conducting. In addition to many solo and chamber recitals, he had extensive orchestral experience, including as principal second violin with the Madison Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra (1981-89). More recently, he led the University Symphony Orchestra and served as frequent guest conductor of the University Chamber Orchestra.

William Larue Jones, professor and director of orchestral studies in the UI School of Music, paid this tribute to his colleague: “David was the consummate collaborative administrator who celebrated others’ achievements and made our department function smoothly through his quiet, disciplined leadership and genuine compassion for students and faculty. I deeply valued our working opportunities and resulting friendship.”

David’s research interests included psychological modeling of music intelligence, string pedagogy and aesthetic responsiveness. His research is published in national and international journals that include the Journal of Research in Music Education, Psychology of Music, the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, and Design for Arts in Education. For many years he served as editor for the journal Dialogue in Instrumental Music Education.

Before coming to The University of Iowa, David was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was Director of the School of Music (1989-1991), Director of String Development, Chair of the String Department, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, Director of Summer Music Clinics,and Director of the Wisconsin Pre-College Institute. He also taught at Murray State University, Kentucky, and at McGill University, Montreal.

David earned the PhD in Music Education at the University of Texas at Austin. He earned the BME and the Master of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. He served in the United States Army Reserve, 1971-77.