Allen D. Sapp, Jr., Dies, Former Chair of UB Music Department

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Memorial services will be held Jan. 9 in Corbett Auditorium on the University of Cincinnati campus for Allen Dwight Sapp, Jr., former professor and chair of the University at Buffalo Department of Music and a noted composer.

Sapp, 76, died Jan. 4 in Cincinnati, where he had served as dean of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM), professor of music and composition, and associate dean for special projects. He retired from CCM in 1993 and was emeritus professor of music at the time of his death.

A talented composer of 139 musical works, Sapp's compositions have been performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the French Radio Orchestra and many others.

"He was quite prolific in the 80s. He was actually quite satisfied he was able to hear so much of his music performed in recent years," said his son, Anthony.

From 1943-45, Sapp was a cryptoanalyst in the U.S. Army, serving in England, France, Belgium and Germany. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Harvard University, where he also taught early in his career.

He came to Buffalo in 1961 as Slee Visiting Professor of Composition and joined the UB faculty that year. He served as a professor from 1961-75 and as chair of the Department of Music from 1961-68. He was co-director of the Center for the Creative and Performing Arts from 1964-68, headed the Division of Languages, Literature and the Arts from 1965-67 and was director of Cultural Affairs from 1966-71. He served as chairman of the Council of College Masters from 1968-70 and was Master of College B from 1968-74.

While in Buffalo, Sapp was involved in many civic and cultural activities. He gave the dedication address at opening ceremonies for both Baird and Slee halls. He was a trustee and music advisor to the chairman of the board of the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy from 1961-75, a

director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1961-75 and a director and vice president of the Studio Arena Theater from 1962-74. Also, he was a trustee and vice president of the Buffalo Ballet Company from 1969-75, executive director of the American Council for the Arts in Education (ACAE) from 1972-74 and director of the New York Foundation for the Arts from 1972-79.

Before moving to Cincinnati in 1978, he served as provost of the Division of Communication and the Arts at Florida State University, and executive director of the American Council of the Arts.

Sapp was the former president of the board of trustees of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and served on several boards, including that of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

Survivors include his sons, Anthony Sapp of Montclair, N.J., and Christopher Dawson of Belmont, Calif.; a sister, Nancy O'Reilly of Scottsdale, Ariz., and six grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, 1406 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45210, or to the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, 4 W. Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202.