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TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Wendell E. Orr, a bass-baritone singer and retired professor at YSU's Dana School of Music, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, at home. He was 95 years old.
Professor Orr was a Dana faculty member for 23 years, retiring in 1992 as a full professor. He taught singing, directed the Men's Chorus, which he founded, and served as Dana Concert Series coordinator. A native of Illinois, Professor Orr held B.S. and B. Mus (cum laude) degrees from Lawrence University, and a M. Mus. degree from the University of Michigan, where he was inducted into the National Music Honor Society, Pi Kappa Lambda.
He did further work at Michigan, studied voice and opera in Italy; repertory at the Edinburgh Festival in London; and at the Cleveland Orchestra's Blossom Music Festival School.
Before coming to YSU, he served as an admissions officer at Lawrence University and held faculty appointments at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the Emporia (Kansas) State University and the University of New Hampshire. He appeared as soloist and conductor in recital, oratorio and opera throughout much of the United States and Canada for over 40 years, including four Boston Pops appearances.
Professor Orr was married to Nancy Brannan of Baraboo, Wisconsin, from 1952 until her death in 1984. He was married to Vivian Harris, a high school friend, from 1989 until her death in 2007.
He is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Howard) Van Houten of Traverse City, Michigan; a son, Douglas (Julia) Orr of Dalkey, Ireland; and his stepdaughters, Marsha (Douglas) Dirks and Margo Jorgensen of Kissimmee, Florida, and Monte Harris of Bradley, Illinois. A sister, Janice Orr of Yorktown, Virginia, also survives.
A private service and burial will be in the Memorial Garden of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan, at a later date.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Wendell's at his tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.
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