Paul J. Stanbery

Paul John Stanbery July 15,1954 - February 6, 2021
Paul John Stanbery's down-to-Earth style made him popular with musicians and audiences alike. His mentor and friend, Dave Belew, called him our "Music Man". On the podium, the Butler Philharmonic's music director also served as music director of the Ohio Mozart Festival and Butler Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and has been associate conductor of the Lima Symphony in Ohio. His guest conducting appearances have included performances with the Western Piedmont Symphony, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Shreveport (La.) Symphony Orchestra and the University of Cincinnati (CCM). He was a regular guest with the Miami University Symphony Orchestra. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Paul studied at Bowling Green State University and the University of Cincinnati. His mentors and teachers included conducting studies with Emil Raab, Ivan Trusler, Robert Porco, and John Leman. He studied composition with Wallace DePue and H. Owen Reed. Paul was also the founding conductor of the Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony and the Clermont Philharmonic Orchestras. In November 2005, Paul Stanbery won the prestigious Post-Corbett Award (Performing Artist Division). Given every other year, the Post-Corbett Award was the region's highest artistic honor, recognizing outstanding achievement in many fields of the visual and performing arts. Paul was the first conductor so honored not to be associated with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. As Associate Conductor for the Cincinnati May Festival, He collaborated with such noted conductors as Robert Shaw, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, James Conlon, Robert Porco, Eric Kunzel, Ivan Fischer, Kenneth Jean, and Keith Lockhart for performances in Carnegie Hall, Cincinnati's Music Hall and the Riverbend Music Center. Paul served as Chorus Master for Telarc recordings of the Cincinnati Pops (The Hunt for Red October). Paul worked for 19 years as Music Director of All Saints Parish and School in Cincinnati, and has been an educator for more than 30 years, including work in several Toledo area schools. In 2002, He was appointed Music Minister at Hamilton's "Historic Presbyterian Church", then held the same position at St. Peter in Chains Church in Hamilton from 2008 to 2013, and Minister of Music at Zion Lutheran Church in Hamilton until his retirement in 2019. In 1995, he became Director of the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony (renamed The Butler Philharmonic). Under his leadership, it grew dramatically. The BPO chorus was established in 1997.The chorus performed in Carnegie Hall under the baton of composer John Rutter on May 30, 2005 in a command performance of the Brahms "Ein Deutches Requiem". He was also the founder and Artistic Director of Hamilton's "Ohio Mozart Festival". The Mozart festival remains the only event of its kind in the Midwest, having presented over 200 performances of Mozart's works. Paul appeared in Carnegie Hall conducting his own "Music for Mass" with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and a choir of over 200 voices from around the country, including his own Butler Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus in 2018. The packed house gave an extended standing ovation. He was invited to compose a new work for presentation in Carnegie Hall, an oratorio entitled "The Golden Door", which will premiere in 2022. Upon his retirement in 2019, he was named Music Director Emeritus and Composer in Residence for Life, for the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Paul also remained dedicated to music by other living composers. He initiated the Butler Philharmonic's American Masters Concerts, which brought distinguished, living composers to the community for a week, culminating in a concert featuring their works. To date under his baton, the BPO has presented numerous world premieres and has featured collaborations with several Pulitzer Prize-winning composers He believed strongly in the importance of reaching young people with classical music. His work with the BPO Youth Orchestra helped form an enormously successful new series for children as a cooperative venture between the Butler Philharmonic and the Lane Public Library System entitled Mini-Maestros. Paul composed original music specifically for several such presentations. His work with the Lima Symphony also included educational concerts in schools, as well as the presentation of the "KidStuff" programs in tandem with the Lima Public Libraries. Under his watch, the BPO established four separate scholarship opportunities for young musicians and singers. Everyone that knew Paul, will remember him for his upbeat attitude, dynamic ideas and boundless energy. Paul is survived by his wife, Patricia, brothers Michael Stanbery (Paula) and Fr. Stephen Stanbery; sister-in-law Barbara Leach (Rob); and mother-in-law June Jackson. He was preceded in death by his father and mother (Sanford R. Stanbery and Alice Mae Stanbery), and father-in-law Clifford Jackson. Paul and Patricia share six children and their spouses: Aaron Szabo (Marissa), Angela Ebner (Luke), Adam Szabo (Kristin), Katie Stanbery (Matt McKinney), Peter Stanbery and Benjamin Szabo. They have ten grandchildren - Isaac, Joshua, Albert, Leah, Merle, Claire, William, Finley, Henry, and Oren - who fill their lives with joy! He is also survived by dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins whose lives he has impacted greatly. A FAMILY ONLY Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 11 AM, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7820 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45255. LIVE STREAM, https://www.ihom.org , click on picture of church, click on Stanbery Funeral. In Lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to: Butler Philharmonic Orchestra or American Cancer Society or American Heart Association