Lowell David Greer

On January 5, 2022, in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Lowell David Greer, age 71, passed into his eternal reward. If you met Lowell in his later years, you were sure to be regaled with delightful stories of past adventures full of humor and wit in between swigs of his ever-present companion Dr. Pepper. Stories often included fishing tales, scuba diving and travel but they did not tell you the full scope of his impact on the music world. While Lowell proudly touted “Lowell Greer enjoys a universal regard as being the greatest horn player living at his house”, his peers have certainly expounded on that radius to include a much broader scope than his home. Lowell studied Music and rebellion at Wheaton College, music at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, his original research in Music History earned him Doctor of Philosophy from Shaftsbury University and he studied Biblical Studies and Theology at Mount Tabor Seminary. As a soloist performer, Lowell has performed on natural and modern horn with some fifty orchestras in the US, Canada, Mexico, and across Europe, not to mention his appearances at numerous chamber music venues. His extensive discography includes four CDs on Harmonium Mundi, including the Mozart Horn Concertos and Quintet, Brahms Horn Trio, and the Beethoven Sonata on natural horn, and a recording for Decca L’oiseau Lyre of the entire music of Mozart for winds performed on original instruments. Lowell joined the Detroit Symphony in 1972 as assistant principal. In 1978, he accepted the position of principal horn of the Mexico City Philharmonic and began to pursue his solo career. In 1980 he moved to Europe to better pursue his natural horn interests and performed in Belgium as guest principal horn of the Antwerp Philharmonic/Royal Flemish Orchestra. He returned to the US in 1984, where he served as principal horn of the Cincinnati Symphony until 1986. He also performed as principal of the Toledo Symphony from 1990-1997. During this time, he won seven first prizes at six prestigious international horn competitions: Heldenleben (1977), Gian Battista Viotti, Vercelli (1978), Hubertus Jaachthoornfestival (1979), SACEM, Paris (1981), Jacques-Francois Gallay (1981), and American (1983, 1984). Lowell was honored with the Punto Award at the 2008 International Horn Symposium in Denver, where he led his natural horn group, the Hunting Horns of General Washington. He taught at Wheaton College, Oakland University, Interlochen Arts Academy, the School for Perfection in Mexico City, University of Cincinnati, the University of Michigan, and at the Carl Neilsen Academy in Odense, Denmark. Lowell is survived by his loving wife of 10 years Patricia Lehsten-Greer; three beautiful daughters who were separated by years and miles but loved in vast quantities, Elspeth Greer, Cecile Greer (Marcin Dukalski) and Meredith Greer (Lowell inspired them with great passion for music, and middle child Cecile followed in his footsteps as a professional violinist); stepdaughters, Christie Duganiero (Brent), Joanna Toepfer (Glen), Holly Smith, Sandra Lehsten; step-grandchildren who will always remember that the door is actually “a jar” and their special bond of humor, Tyler Duganiero, Ethan Duganiero, Xavier Smith and Sierra Smith; brother, James Greer (Joyce); and nieces. Lowell was preceded in death by his infant son, William Greer, and parents William and Josephine Greer. Friends and family are invited to visit from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue (west Corey Road), Toledo. A Requiem Mass will then be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 628 Locust Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604. The program at 11 am and Mass at 2 pm can each be viewed via live stream by clicking on the Tribute Wall of this page 10 minutes prior to each event. Services for the day will conclude at 4:00 p.m. with a Dr. Pepper Toast in the Sacred Heart Hall of the church.. Private burial will take place at Glenwood Cemetery in Napoleon, Ohio. Contributions in Lowell’s memory are suggested to his family.