Dr. Steven W. Shrader, formerly a professor of music at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, died on January 24, 2020, at the age of 69. He was born in Front Royal, Virginia, on February 6, 1950, to Charles and Peggy Shrader, and spent his early life in Winchester, VA. His love of music developed in childhood, and his talent at both the piano and organ manifested at an early age. He earned his B.A. from the College of William and Mary, and subsequently received a Master’s in Piano Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In his mid-20s, while he was completing his doctorate of Musicology at Northwestern University, he accepted a post in the Music Department at the University of the South.
Through his work at Sewanee, Steve brought new richness and life to his artistic surroundings. Early in his tenure he founded the University Orchestra, which was led by his baton for more than two decades. He worked closely with the Theater Department in directing musical productions, and was especially known for rousing renditions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. A beloved professor, he taught music history, theory, and piano, and especially enjoyed collaborating with his colleagues in the Humanities program. He continued to perform regularly on the piano, notably as a part of the St. Luke’s Trio, and he was a long-time organist at Otey Parish, and also served as organist for some years at Christ Church, Tracy City. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s he served as Artistic Director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, where he worked to integrate the Festival with the University on the whole.
Off-stage and outside of the classroom, Steve was loved for his genuine camaraderie, his ribald humor, his friendly demeanor, and his energetic spirit. He loved travel, books, golf, cooking, gardening, cars, house design, cats, board games and pub trivia, and sharing a drink with friends and family. Above all, he prized being a father, and his gifts of love to his two children were paramount. His daughter, Emily Hauze, and son, Charlie, were both present with him as he passed away in his home in Chattanooga, TN.
He is further survived by his wife, Patricia O’Connor, and his sister, Gretchen Saunders, of Winchester, VA. He will be deeply missed.
He is being interred alongside his parents at Mt. Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, VA. A memorial service will be held in St. Luke’s Chapel, Sewanee, TN, on Sunday February 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com
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