Obituary for Joel Craig Davis
Joel Craig Davis (1964-2020)
J. Craig Davis, 55, died March 31, 2020 at his home in Garfield, NJ. He was born on June 30, 1964 in Sylacauga, Alabama to Heflin and Rilla (Peerson) Davis. Craig attended BB Comer Memorial High School in Sylacauga, Jacksonville State University, Ithaca College, and The Eastman School of Music, where he earned the Performer’s Certificate in Trumpet Performance, Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, and Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After post graduate courses at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he completed doctoral studies and was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from The Juilliard School of Music. In addition to his position as Director of Bands and Brass Coordinator at William Paterson University, he served on the faculties of Princeton University, Furman University, The Interlochen Center for the Arts National Music Camp, and New Jersey Symphony’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestra. Prior to his college appointments, he taught public school in New York State. A freelance trumpeter and conductor in the New York Metropolitan area, Craig performed with the New Jersey Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and Rochester Philharmonic, and served as guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. He was a member of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, College Band Director’s National Association, International Trumpet Guild, National Association for Music Education, and on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Band Association. Predeceased by his parents, Don Peerson (uncle), and Lynn Peerson Butts (cousin), Craig is survived by Joyce Peerson (aunt), Linda Deedra Jackson, Lisa Johnson, David Livingston, Deborah McGee, and Joe Kirk Peerson (cousins), and all of the colleagues, friends, and students whose lives he influenced through his teachings. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield, NJ. Craig will be laid to rest alongside his parents at the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Holman Crossroads, Alabama. Donations can be made in Craig’s name to The Eastman School of Music, www.esm.rochester.edu/advancement/how/.
J. Craig Davis, 55, died March 31, 2020 at his home in Garfield, NJ. He was born on June 30, 1964 in Sylacauga, Alabama to Heflin and Rilla (Peerson) Davis. Craig attended BB Comer Memorial High School in Sylacauga, Jacksonville State University, Ithaca College, and The Eastman School of Music, where he earned the Performer’s Certificate in Trumpet Performance, Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, and Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After post graduate courses at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he completed doctoral studies and was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from The Juilliard School of Music. In addition to his position as Director of Bands and Brass Coordinator at William Paterson University, he served on the faculties of Princeton University, Furman University, The Interlochen Center for the Arts National Music Camp, and New Jersey Symphony’s Greater Newark Youth Orchestra. Prior to his college appointments, he taught public school in New York State. A freelance trumpeter and conductor in the New York Metropolitan area, Craig performed with the New Jersey Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Pops, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, and Rochester Philharmonic, and served as guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. He was a member of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, College Band Director’s National Association, International Trumpet Guild, National Association for Music Education, and on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Band Association. Predeceased by his parents, Don Peerson (uncle), and Lynn Peerson Butts (cousin), Craig is survived by Joyce Peerson (aunt), Linda Deedra Jackson, Lisa Johnson, David Livingston, Deborah McGee, and Joe Kirk Peerson (cousins), and all of the colleagues, friends, and students whose lives he influenced through his teachings. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Aloia Funeral Home in Garfield, NJ. Craig will be laid to rest alongside his parents at the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Holman Crossroads, Alabama. Donations can be made in Craig’s name to The Eastman School of Music, www.esm.rochester.edu/advancement/how/.