Fond Farewell: Music Professor Emeritus David Mallory

Professor Emeritus David Mallory, who taught music for 27 years, passed away February 13. He was 88.

Born July 3, 1933, he was raised in San Luis Obispo in a family that surrounded him with music, literature, art, and philosophy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from San Francisco State University, a master’s degree in violin performance from Indiana University, Bloomington, and a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Southern California. Before coming to Chico, he served in the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra, taught music in the Arroyo Grande public schools, performed in the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and several Bay Area chamber music ensembles, and taught on the string faculty at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Mallory was hired at Chico State as a professor of music in 1969. He served as coordinator of the string program, taught music theory, violin, and soloist programs, and performed numerous times as a soloist with the Chico Symphony Orchestra and served as its concertmaster. He was also a key participant on the Faculty Artist Series, performing solo recitals and in trios, quartets, and quintets. He also created and co-taught a course on avant-garde music and art with colleague James McManus for many years.

“David made such a great contribution to our Music Department and community, since he came in 1969 until his retirement, and it continues through his former students in the United Kingdom, Mexico, and the United States, including the North State,” said Professor Emeritus Robert Bowman.

Mallory was an experienced Suzuki violin teacher and did many years of private instruction across the country and the globe. He also served as concertmaster of one of Munich’s Symphony Orchestras and as a chamber music coach at Chico State, Humboldt State, Oregon College, and Clarion State University.

Mallory was a long-time member of the Butte County branch of the Music Teachers Association of California, serving for many years on its board of directors, and as one of the artistic coordinators and faculty for its Chico Summer Music Academy for the past 14 years.

After he retired from Chico State in 1991, he continued teaching through the Faculty Early Retirement Program for five years. He then moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for 10 years and continued to teach and perform chamber music as well as focus on his artwork, which was featured in numerous local galleries and museums around Europe, Mexico, and the United States.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, son Roderick, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 1289 Filbert Avenue. Seating capacity is limited, but it will also be available on Zoom.

The University flag will be lowered Tuesday, March 15, in his memory.