Maurice Townsend Casey's Obituary
Maurice T. Casey, 90, of Worthington, OH, passed peacefully from this world on November 22, 2022.
“Casey” lived an amazing, impactful life, touching countless people with his kindness and talents.
He was born to Jesse Frank and Mildred T. Casey in Washington, D.C., on July 18, 1932. Much of Casey’s life was then filled with music. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas and a Master in Choral Conducting from Columbia University. While assisting with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, he met Jane Barker, his “first chair soprano” and director of the orchestra’s children’s chorus. They married in 1964; had a daughter, Colleen, and settled in Worthington.
Casey joined the faculty of the School of Music at The Ohio State University (OSU) in 1967 as Director of Choruses and conductor of the Symphonic Choir, University Chorus and Women’s Glee Club. He had previously been on the music faculties of Montana State University and Baldwin-Wallace College.
In his first year at OSU, Casey founded the University Chorale, a small ensemble featuring the university’s top singers, and later in his tenure, founded the Scarlet and Gray Show Choir. He flourished at OSU, becoming a Full Professor and remaining on the faculty until his retirement in 1994, when the university named him Professor Emeritus.
Casey served as Director of Music at the Worthington United Methodist Church from 1967 to 2006. He was also founder and director of the Cantari Singers of Columbus, a professional choir, from 1983 to 1995, and conductor of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra chorus.
From 1983 to 1985, Casey was national president of the American Choral Director’s Association, as well as serving as state president in Ohio from 1975 to 1977 and central division president from 1977 to 1981.
Additionally, Casey was a member of the Robert Shaw Chorale. He had a lifetime association and friendship with Shaw, whom he considered his mentor. In the early years, Casey assisted Shaw in preparing the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for performances under George Szell, Pablo Casals and Shaw himself. After retiring from OSU, he became Director of the Robert Shaw Choral Institute where he auditioned and prepared choruses for the Robert Shaw Choral Workshops at Carnegie Hall and the Robert Shaw Festivals in France.
In 1989, the Ohioana Library Excellence in Music Award was presented to Casey.
In addition to music and family, Casey loved the OSU Buckeyes, his great neighbors and friends, golf and fly fishing, excellent food and drink, and singing his words. He truly brightened this world with his kindness and laughter.
Casey is survived by his daughter, Colleen “Squirt” Casey; son-in-law Andrew Wildman; brother Charles Casey; sister-in-law Anne Barker; multiple nieces, nephews and other family members, and his close partner of 13 years, Barbara Dufour.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, to whom he was married for 43 years until she passed in 2007, and his parents, brother-in-law Richard Barker, sister-in-law Billie Casey and nephew Charles Casey, Jr.
A memorial service will be held at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 North High St., Worthington, OH 43085 on Sunday, January 8, 2023. A calling hour will begin at 2:00 PM in the church’s Dixon Lounge, followed by the service at 3:00 PM in the sanctuary. An informal celebration of life will follow from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the York Golf Club, 7459 North High St., Columbus, OH 43235.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Worthington United Methodist Music Program.
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