Douglas Payson Sturdevant

Douglas Payson Sturdevant, 76, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, passed away peacefully and lovingly at home, surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Douglas (Pace) was born on the 21st of July, 1948 to Keith and Helen Sturdevant (Danner) in Chadron, Nebraska. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Michigan, eventually settling in Detroit (Ferndale). After graduating from high school at Interlochen Arts Academy in 1966, he went on to study Musical Education and Performance (trumpet) on full scholarship at the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor’s in Musical Education and his Master’s in Arts (trumpet performance).

After graduating from university at 22 years of age, Pace won the Principal Trumpet position as part of the Toledo (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. In 1974, Pace auditioned for and won the Second Trumpet position with the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa, Canada), then shortly after was promoted to Principal Trumpet, a position he held for 23 years. During those years, Pace taught at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), McGill University (Montreal), University of Ottawa, and Le Conservatoire de Musique de Gatineau. He also was chosen to be part of the World Philharmonic Orchestra, held in Japan in 1987, where amongst some of the top orchestral soloists and performers from around the world, performed in concerts to raise money in aid for various international charities.

Due to an irreparable injury to his lip muscles affecting his embouchure and ability to continue playing, Pace was forced to retire early from his beloved position as Principal Trumpet with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in 1998. He continued his passion for music and education being appointed as Manager of Artistic Training and Outreach for the NACO’s education department, retiring from this position in 2016. In 2015 Pace earned the National Arts Centre’s MusicFest Hall of Fame Award, an award that is given annually to those who have made major contributions to music education on a national level throughout Canada.

Pace met his wife Nancy Sturdevant (Denner) in 1966 while attending the summer program at Interlochen Arts Academy. Pace and Nancy married in 1969, and had three children, Rebecca Anne Sturdevant, Kerry Elizabeth (Beth) Sturdevant, and Robert Andrew Sturdevant. Pace and Nancy played professionally side by side for many years, both as members of the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Pace had an insatiable love for the outdoors, animals and tranquility in nature. He spent countless hours mountaineering and camping in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Mountains and Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Range. In addition, his dedication and love of family was his greatest driving force, and a source of inspiration for all who knew him.

Pace was predeceased by his parents Keith and Helen Sturdevant (Drummond Island, Michigan). He is survived by his wife Nancy Sturdevant, daughters Rebecca and Beth Sturdevant, son Rob Sturdevant (Virginia), grandsons Tristan and Aidan D’Ottavio, brother Roger (Norma) Sturdevant (California/Michigan), nephews Ryan (Giselle) and Jason (Morgan) Sturdevant (California), and four great-nieces.

A Celebration of Pace’s life was held in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre (Le Salon) on Sunday, March 2nd, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (https://cancer.ca/en/) and the Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation (https://foundation.ottawaheart.ca/).

Spotlight on Pace Sturdevant

As I’m sure you have noticed, this issue of the Harp is a bit different. Usually, we feature a member who is currently active. This month we have chosen to shine the spotlight on Douglas (Pace) Sturdevant, who died on January 14th.

Pace and I both joined the National Arts Centre Orchestra in September of 1974. I could say that we were voted Rookies of the Year, but in truth we were the only two voting, and in fact we were the only two new members that season. We both loved our time with NACO, especially in the ’70’s and ’80’s, when the audiences were always full, there seemed to be plenty of money for tours and recordings, and the summer festival attracted artists and opera lovers from all over.

As you will read in his obituary, Pace’s playing career was cut short by a physical issue. Undaunted, he started working in the management side of the NAC, and he continued his teaching and coaching. His wide reach in the musical life of Ottawa meant that he affected the lives and careers of so many of our fellow musicians. In this issue, we offer you some of the many words of appreciation written by people who knew Pace in various capacities.

By the time you read this, the Celebration of Pace’s life on March 2nd at the National Arts Centre will have taken place. I have no doubt that it will be standing room only, a fitting final show of appreciation for someone who gave so much to so many of us.

Francine Schutzman

En vedette: Pace Sturdevant

Ce numéro de la revue The Harp est un peu différent. Habituellement, nous présentons un membre actuellement actif. Ce mois-ci, nous avons choisi de mettre en vedette Douglas (Pace) Sturdevant, décédé le 14 janvier.

Pace et moi avons tous les deux joint les rangs de l’Orchestre du Centre national des Arts en septembre 1974. Je pourrais dire que nous avons été élus Recrues de l’année, mais, en réalité, nous étions les deux seuls à voter et, en fait, nous étions les deux seuls nouveaux membres cette saison-là. Nous avons tous deux adoré notre temps avec l’OCNA, surtout dans les années 1970 et 1980. Les spectacles affichaient toujours complet, il semblait y avoir beaucoup d’argent pour les tournées et les enregistrements, et le festival d’été attirait des artistes et des amateurs d’opéra de partout.

Comme vous le lirez dans sa nécrologie, la carrière de musicien de Pace a été écourtée par un problème physique. Sans se décourager, il a commencé à travailler dans le secteur de la gestion du CNA, tout en continuant à enseigner et à conseiller. Sa contribution à la vie musicale d’Ottawa a eu une influence sur la vie et la carrière de nombreux musiciens. Dans ce numéro, nous vous offrons quelques-uns des nombreux mots d’appréciation écrits par des personnes qui ont connu Pace au fil de sa carrière. Au moment où vous lirez ces lignes, la célébration de la vie de Pace aura eu lieu le 2 mars au Centre national des Arts. Je suis convaincu que la salle sera remplie, en cette dernière manifestation d’appréciation pour quelqu’un qui a tant donné à tant d’entre nous.

Francine Schutzman

NACO violinist Winston Webber submitted this remembrance of his colleague and friend to the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians:

“It’ll never last!” That’s what they said when Pace Sturdevant and Nancy Denner got married, still at university, the same year the Beatles released Abbey Road. Famous last words. I’ve never seen anyone love someone like Nancy loved Pace and she still loved Pace heart and soul fifty-six years later when he died in her arms. Cancer, heart – “he had a whole phonebook of things” one of his doctors said – but until the end you wouldn’t know.

Nancy loved Pace, Pace loved Nancy, I loved Pace, his friends loved Pace, his three kids loved Pace, his grandkids loved Pace, his colleagues loved Pace, his students loved Pace. Everybody loved Pace. It’s hard to say what for exactly because Pace was lovable in so many ways.

He was so smart it would’ve been annoying except he was so laid back you didn’t feel like an idiot until later. He knew every conductor and what made them great or not great (not great was more fun). He knew everything in the repertoire and tons of stuff that wasn’t. Especially the stuff that wasn’t. There really wasn’t anything worth knowing in music that Pace didn’t know.

And when he got down to business as a trumpet player, he was simply the best. From our school days together at the University of Michigan until he retired thirty years later after blowing out his lip during a week with three pops concerts and a Bach B-minor Mass, I heard his flawless, stylish, classy playing in everything from Haydn to Scriabin. OMG, you should’ve heard his Scriabin . . .

But just playing like a god wasn’t enough. As a colleague, a mentor, a conductor, a teacher, a passionate advocate for music education, he was also simply the best. His favourite thing was to grab a CD and say, “Hey! You have to hear this! This is fantastic!” He had the priceless talent of being welcoming, friendly, one of the guys, but also naturally, subtly, effortlessly in charge.

Dear Pace, I just can’t imagine this world without you in it. I can’t imagine music without you, I can’t imagine having a great glass of wine without you, I can’t imagine your beloved Adirondacks without you. It just doesn’t compute. Your leaving this world is . . . we’ll never get over it. We’ll just keep moving on, because that’s the only option. Moving on, and remembering you, and missing you every day.

And I will always remember whenever someone would say, “Hey look! Pace looks like Robert Redford!” I’d say, “No. Robert Redford looks like Pace.”

Winston Webber,
National Arts Centre Orchestra

Nelson McDougall, Managing Director of the NAC Orchestra, wrote this:

I have just heard the very sad news that Pace Sturdevant passed away, shortly after 10 am this morning. I understand he was surrounded by family, with Nancy laying by his side.

I met Pace after his playing career, when he was part of the artistic and education administration and ‘consigliare’ to Pinchas, who (it seemed to me) relied very much on, and benefitted from, his artistic insight, guidance and friendship.

I could fill many pages with effusive praise for Pace and his impact on the NAC Orchestra and the Ottawa community as a player and administrator – and I can say without reservation that Pace was the kindest and most supportive colleague I have ever known.

My sincere condolences to you all.

Nelson

The following words were posted on Facebook:

Shannon Whidden on Pace

I was heartbroken to learn today that my colleague and friend Pace Sturdevant died. Pace was one of the first friendly faces I found at the National Arts Centre when I started there, and over my 8 years with the NAC he proved to be a kind, caring, wonderful human being.

Pace was the NAC’s former Principal Trumpet, and his passion for performance was matched and, if possible, surpassed by his passion for music education. He gave his time and knowledge unreservedly to new generations of musicians, whether they were brass musicians, string players, or singers.

As invaluable as his contributions to young musicians were, he was also easily one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. I don’t think I ever heard him say an unkind thing, or saw him lose his patience or become angry. It didn’t matter if it was at the NAC, or at any of the countless music and music education organizations in Ottawa, across Canada, and around the world – Pace embodied what it meant to be a good, decent person. If there is anyone outside my family that I looked at and thought: “I want to be like this person,” it was Douglas “Pace” Sturdevant. I’ll miss him greatly.

Travis Mandel

Today, we lost one of my greatest mentors and the most generous pedagogue I’ve ever known.

As a trumpet teacher, he spent hours listening to me play offering sage advice and positive reinforcement. He lent me countless items from his trumpet stash trying to give me any advantage I could find in the professional world. In fact, I still play the Schilke piccolo mouthpiece he had custom-made from his years at the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

As a teaching mentor, he always picked up the phone to problem solve with me and give me new perspectives. If one of my students had embouchure issues or injury concerns, he would meet with them one-on-one and report back to me to form a game plan. It’s really unbelievable how much of himself he gave to me, my studio, the brass community, and the musical community at large.

Thank you for your belief in me as a player and a teacher. Thank you for always making the time… Pace, you were one of a kind. I promise to continue to be part of your legacy.

Sean Rice

Pace was a dear friend to so many teachers and young musicians in Newfoundland. Grant’s wonderful tribute here highlights how important he was to the musical community. As a young musician in early high school, I benefited greatly from his teachings via the broadband distance teaching technology that he helped organize and operate.

In addition to his amazing performance career, Pace was such an inspirational force for the development of young musicians in this country. He will be sorely missed.

Grant Etchegary

We have lost a great friend to music education in NL. Pace Sturdevant was the principal trumpet player with the National Arts Centre Orchestra who, after his retirement, became the Manager of Arts Training and Outreach for the orchestra. Pace was an amazing player and an incredible teacher. From 2003 – 2010 Pace played a pivotal role as a teaching mentor for “MusicGrid,” a provincial/federal program initiated to research the use of high-speed fibre-optic technology in the music classroom.

Pace unselfishly provided free music lessons to hundreds of students using this technology. From the studio at the Communications Research Centre in Ottawa, Pace genuinely inspired his long-distance students. Young musicians from across the province, including the MUN School of Music, benefitted from his online teaching skills. He was an incredibly intuitive teacher who could identify musical issues and prescribe solutions to every student, regardless of the instrument they played.

Thanks so much, Pace

Evelyn Greenberg

I was blessed to know Pace not only as a superb instrumentalist, but as a fine and generous gentleman who shared his talent and upbeat personality with all, including my accompanying students at uOttawa. Not only did he play for my class so they could accompany the best, he gave insights into the music they were playing and the results were stunning. He simply cared about everyone he worked with. What a treasured addition to Canada and the NACO. Now the Heavens have the brilliant sounds of Pace and R.W. Oades together maybe some Vivaldi? Forever missed, Pace. Deepest sympathy to Nancy and family.

Source: eNews Harp, March 2025