Nathan Morris Collier
Post date: Apr 27, 2017 6:44:34 PM
Nathan Morris Collier, 92, of Lincoln since 1951, passed away April 23, 2017. Born to Lotan Morris and Annie Willsey Collier, Clinton, Okla., July 23, 1924, he served in the Navy 1943-46, then earned his B.A. in Music, U. of OK 1949, and M.A. in Music, Eastman School of Music 1951. He was “a dedicated, compassionate, and gentle man who influenced the lives of thousands of students and professional musicians over the last half-century,” (Maupin) whose students “never knew if they'd get a lesson in viola, music history, theory, or all three!” (Pfeiffer). An MTNA certified violin teacher, he was Neb. ASTA vice pres. 1965-68, pres. 1968-71, cofounded the Lincoln Youth Symphony, and taught strings 66 years privately, 17 in Lincoln Public Schools, 15 at Nebraska Wesleyan University, and 6 at St. John Lutheran School, plus terms at Concordia College and Kansas State University. He was assistant concertmaster of Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra 56 years, emeritus assistant concertmaster since 2002; played with The Lincoln String Quartet 56 years; first violin with the Omaha Symphony 23 years, the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra 17 years, the Nebraska Sinfonia and Hastings and Des Moines Symphonies, and the Joslyn Chamber Orchestra; and was the Nebraska Camerata Orchestra's Berlin tour concertmaster and violin soloist. Morry was honored in the NMEA Hall of Fame, as Teacher of the Year by the MTA and ASTA, and, with his wife Aleta, in the Hastings Symphony Hall of Fame, with the Lincoln Mayor's Arts Award, and with the first Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra Golden Baton award. He was listed in the Who's Who in Music of Midwest, America, and World. He is survived by Aleta, children Susan and Ray, and their families. Services: 2 p.m. Thursday Christ United Methodist Church 45th & A St. Visitation: 12-9 Wednesday & 8-11 Thursday at Butherus, Maser & Love funeral home and 1 hour before services at church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, Lincoln Youth Symphony, Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music, Neb. Chamber Players, UNL Wishnow Scholarship, or Morry's church for 65 years, Christ United Methodist