December 6, 2017
Associate Professor of Theory Edward R. Pearsall passed away on November 24, 2017 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, on May 20, 1954, to Dona (Smith) Pearsall and the late John Pearsall. Edward graduated from Titusville High School in 1972 and from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1976, with a B.S. in Music Education. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994, Edward went on to hold teaching positions at the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, and at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Since 1999 to the time of his death, he taught at The University of Texas at Austin where he received awards for excellence in teaching. He was also president of the Texas Society for Music Theory from 2005-2008. His research on the cognition of music, theories of rhythm, and other subjects appeared in numerous publications.
His latest project was a book on music and inter-subjectivity. Edward's career as music theorist was preceded by one as professional tuba player, notably as member of the Orquesta del Teatro de Bellas Artes (Mexico City National Opera Company) and the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as appearances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Edward was also a licensed music therapist and a composer of chamber, film, and electronic music.
You can read more about Edward Pearsall’s life here.
A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3208 Exposition Boulevard, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Students who need a ride may contact any member of the music theory faculty, or the Director’s Office.