Donald A. Stanley, 79, of GraysonView Court, Selinsgrove, passed away on Nov. 23, 2016, at his home.
He was born Jan. 11, 1937, in Mansfield, Ohio, a son of the late Arthur and Ruth (Young) Stanley.

Donald received his bachelor of science degree in music education from Ohio State University. After teaching in the public schools of Ohio, he earned his master of fine arts degree at Ohio University where he also served as graduate assistant with the Ohio University Bands. He had done post graduate work at both the University of Colorado and Hartt College of Music.

Donald was professor of music and director of bands emeritus at Mansfield University, Mansfield. He joined the faculty at the university in 1966 and, until his retirement in 1992, conducted the university wind ensemble, taught conducting, and tuba and euphonium lessons.

He was active in a number of professional organizations and had served as president of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Bandmasters Association, the Easter Division of the College Band Director’s National Association, and as the National President of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Honorary Band Fraternity. He was currently a member of the Honorary Advisory Board of the Tubists Universal Brotherhood Association.

In 1975, Stanley received the National Band Association’s “Citation of Excellence” following a concert by the Mansfield Concert Wind Ensemble at the M.E.N.C. Convention in Philadelphia. He was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 1980. In 1987, he received a citation of excellence from the Pennsylvania Music Education Association and was named Pennsylvania’s “Outstanding Bandmaster” by Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Mu in the same year.

In 1982, he was invited to perform with the Harvey Phillips Ensemble in their Carnegie Hall Recital in New York City and was invited again in 1989 to join the ensemble for a performance at the Vermont in various state and national music journals.

Donald remained active as a performer serving as the principal tubist with the Nittany Valley Symphony in State College, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and the Commonwealth Brass Quintet. He continued a busy schedule as an adjudicator and clinician with Yamaha Musical Products Inc., since moving to Selinsgrove in 1994, and was an adjunct faculty member of the Susquehanna University Department of Music.

He was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Selinsgrove, and had served as treasurer, senior warden, on the finance committee, and the vestry.

Donald was the last of his immediate family and was preceded in death by his brother.

A celebration of Donald’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 129 N. Market St., Selinsgrove. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the parish hall.
His final resting place will be in the columbarium at All Saints. –

Kappa Kappa Psi joins The University Missouri – Rolla college band community in mourning the loss of Dr. David Oakley, who passed away on September 10, 2015. Dr. Oakley served as a professor of music at UMR for 33 years before his retirement.  Dr. Oakley’s involvement in Kappa Kappa Psi began in 1960 with an honorary membership in the Delta Gamma chapter.

However, his involvement was not limited strictly to the UMR campus, Dr. Oakley also served as District V Governor (1975-77), National Secretary/Treasurer (1977-79), National Vice President (1979-1981) and as the installing officer for a number of chapters including Eta Upsilon, Theta Rho, and Eta Pi.  As a cap to his service, Dr. Oakley was elected to the position of National President of Kappa Kappa Psi in August 1981. During the 1981-83 biennium, a formal chapter visitation program was instituted. At Dr. Oakley’s request, the position of Second Vice President (currently known as the Vice President for Professional Relations) was restored to provide visibility with the band profession. Dr. Oakley addressed the idea of ‘long life’ in a prospective member’s thinking, emphasizing full participation in college band and the fraternity until graduation.

Dr. Oakley presided over the 32nd Biennial Convention in 1983 at Texas Tech University. Robert Jager’s Stars and Stripes Variations received its premiere performance by the National Intercollegiate Band in the University Center. Dr. Donald Hunsberger served as guest conductor and James Sudduth provided support as the host conductor.