Charles Elkins Page died of cancer on November 30, 2020.  He was 83.  One cannot help but wonder if the history of area organists ever included someone so highly thought of as Charles Page.  It wasn’t just his gifts as a very talented classical organist, Charles got involved with all things organ and choral in the greater Springfield area, and with all the organists and musicians that therefore came to know and respect him.

He was born in St. Johnsbury, VT and attended local Schools and St. Johnsbury Academy.  At twelve, he took his first job playing at the local Episcopal church. Despite a passion for organ and music, he first followed his family’s advice and graduated from Boston University in 1959 with a business degree.  The job that followed was in the insurance industry and it ended within six months when he took the position of Minister of Music at Old First Church in downtown Springfield.  In his 45 years there he founded, tailored and honed one of the finest music programs to ever grace the city. His Music at First series provided six annual concerts featuring artists from all over the world. His yearly Christmas Concert was always performed to a packed church.  It was during his first years with Old First that Charles received his Master of Music degree from Yale after which he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and a one year sabbatical to study Organ Performance and Design in Amsterdam, Holland. When he returned, he added becoming a professor of music at Bay Path University to his ever growing schedule at Old First.  Besides teaching, his time at Bay Path included directing the Glee Club and the school musicals.  He was also an adjunct professor of organ at Westfield State University.

He was a pillar of the Springfield Chapter of The American Guild of Organists, serving as Dean from 1962-64 as well as helping mastermind the combined Regions I and II AGO Conventions in 1987.  He was a most dedicated member of the Tuesday Morning Music Club and also served a term on the Board of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the Community Music School of Springfield.   Charles was a world traveler, frequent organist/performer, and accompanist.

He was pre-deceased by his parents, Gordon and Anna Page; his brother Gordon, Jr; and his sister, Patricia Ricker.  His first partner, Paul Norton, died in 2001.

Retirement was enjoyed between his homes at Naples, Florida and at Shaker Pines Lake in Enfield, CT.  It was a time for friends, concerts, and travel. He leaves his nieces and nephews: Paula House (James) of Woodsville, NY; Philip Ricker of Naples, FL; Erin (Gary) Meyers; Gordon III and David Page of Rochester, NY; a cousin, Sally Newton of North Troy, VT; grand nieces and nephews; and his partner of 10 years, Malcolm Bosma.  A special service and reception will be held at Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, Florida on Saturday, January 23, at 11 a.m.  A memorial celebration will take place in Springfield in the spring of 2021.

Donations in Charles’ memory can be made to:

Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State Street, Springfield, MA 01103

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, 333 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA  01103 (specifically for the Old First Church Fund for the Maintenance of the Meetinghouse and Organ).

To read the tribute written by Clifton “Jerry” Noble, Jr., music critic for Springfield’s The Republican newspaper, click here.