Richard Dennis

Richard F. Dennis 74, of Indianapolis, died on Thursday, November 10, 2005. Born on October 10, 1931 to the late Stephen and Susan Dennis in Luzerne County, PA, Richard was quite active as a teacher, violinist, conductor and adjudicator on the local, state, national and international level. He received his Bachelor of Music Ed. from Ithaca College in NY, his Master of Music in Violin Performance from Butler University and attended Indiana University while working toward a PhD. Richard was a member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra from 1953 to 1956, and 1958 to 1960. He was a violinist with the 7th Army Symphony in Stuttgart, Germany from 1956 to 1958. Mr. Dennis was orchestra director and music teacher at Anderson High School from 1959 to 1963 and at North Central High School, Indianapolis, from 1963 to 1995. His or! chestr! as consistently won superior ratings, with many state championships, and a successful Carnegie Hall concert. He taught many clinics and collegiate classes in Indiana including at Indiana University, Indiana State University, University of Indianapolis, Purdue University, Anderson University, Butler University and I.U. Southeast. Richard conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, Indiana Opera Theater, and was associate conductor and concertmaster of Starlight Musicals for many years. He was also music director for Footlite Musicals, The Dick Dennis Chorale, RCA Chorus, L.S. Ayres Chorus, and the Columbians of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Dennis' career as a violinist includes 28 years as concertmaster for Henry Mancini's touring orchestra, as well as many tours as concertmaster for Julie Andre! ws, Johnny Mathis, An dy Williams, and Burt Bacharach, among others. Mr. Dennis' awards include the Gold Award of Merit from The American String Teachers Association, Teacher of the Year twice in Indianapolis' Washington Township, runner-up for Indiana State Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Instrumental Teacher of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Assoc.%2