MCEWEN, Douglas R.

Douglas R. McEwen, Phoenix, Arizona, aged 73, passed away Sunday, June 15, 2003 at his home. He was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, February 17, 1930. Dr. McEwen was the retired director of choirs at Arizona State University and Professor Emeritus at that institution. During a long and succesful career he was in wide demand as a choral clinician and conductor. He prepared and conducted choruses and orchestras around the world to great acclaim. In past years he had been assistant director and soloist for the Roger Wagner Chorale, guest conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra and Phoenix Symphony, assistant director of the Meadow Brook Institute, Director of Choral Masterworks for America's Youth in Concert Vienna, Austria, and conducted more than 60 All State Choruses across the nation. As conductor and educator, Dr. McEwen had a major impact on generations of choral conductors and singers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill C. McEwen and Marcella K. McEwen, both of Bowling Green, Ohio and by a sister, Ellen Burke of La Canada, California. He is survived by his wife, Donna McEwen, three children, Scott McEwen, Bowling Green, Ohio, Elizabeth Morrow, New Bloomfield, Missouri, and Ann Kelley, Scottsdale. Also surviving are two brothers, Stephen McEwen, Bowling Green, Ohio, Michael McEwen, Houston, Texas, and Carol Campbell, Lambertville, Michigan. Visitation is planned for Thursday evening between 6 and 8 pm at Newcomer Mortuary, 6812 E. Thomas Rd., Scottsdale AZ. A memorial service is planned for 10 am Friday morning in the Scottsdale Bible Church Chapel, 7901 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. An invitation is extended to singers who may have sung with Dr. McEwen to join others at 8:30 am Friday morning as they form a chorus to sing in the memorial service. Donations may be made to the Douglas R. McEwen Memorial Scholarship fund at Arizona State University. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/19/2003.