Anthony Terrell Mcdonald

Tony McDonald (1949-2020). Dr. Anthony Terrell “Tony” McDonald passed on August 9, 2020 in Columbus, OH. Tony was a recognized composer, arranger, conductor and musician. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts from Stanford University and a BA from California State University – Los Angeles. Tony was the founder of Dr. Tony’s Original Ragtime Band, had served as the Director of Music at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus where he sang in the choir, and is a former Associate Professor of Music at Hillsdale and Centre Colleges. He was a long-time member as a trombone player of the Westerville Symphony Orchestra, the Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Company, the Cyndi Black Big Band, and many other community musical groups in the area. Those who met, sang or played with Tony knew him as an ebullient, talented and dedicated musician and colleague. A long-time resident of the North Linden neighborhood of Columbus, Tony’s career spanned many arts groups in Central Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan and beyond, where his passion for diversity and inclusion in the arts helped many connect with these cultural institutions. He also was dedicated to elevating the history of Black composers and was the creator and editor of “A Catalog of Music Written in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.” (2001). A beloved husband, father and friend, Tony enjoyed movies, festivals, model cars and riding his motor scooter. He was an avid fan of the LA Dodgers and Ohio State Buckeyes. A life taken too soon, Tony was excited to see the rising support for racial justice across the country at the time of his passing. He was born in Sacramento, CA to George McDonald (1918-1996) and Lydia (Moss) McDonald (1922-2001). He is survived by his wife Judith Truman McDonald, his sister Ricarda M. Payne and brother-in-law Brownell Payne, his sons Peter and Carey McDonald and daughter-in-law Sarah McDonald, dear friend and cousin Bill Butler. Donations may be directed to The King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43203 in Tony’s honor.