David Allan Klingshirn was one of Cincinnati’s biggest boosters, who loved the city and its arts. He was the founder of the Cincinnati-based American Classical Music Hall of Fame, which has recognized 165 individuals and institutions across the nation. Anxious to shine a light on classical music, which he believed received less recognition than sports, Mr. Klingshirn was fond of saying, “Cincinnati has major-league sports and major-league classical music.”
Mr. Klingshirn died at his home in Cincinnati on June 20. He was 84.
“David was a visionary who loved classical music and its ability to touch our souls and enrich our lives,” Gary Ingle, president of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors and CEO of the Music Teachers National Association. “He was a passionate advocate for classical music and guided the Hall of Fame tirelessly for these 27 years. The death of our founder is a deeply felt loss for all of us. Our hearts are heavy but filled with gratitude for David and the great legacy he leaves. His legacy will live on through the work we will continue to do together to advance the mission and goals of this very special organization.”
The Cincinnati businessman was the owner of Tischbein Pharmacies for 30 years. In 2004, he was ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and served at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral and St. Margaret’s Hall.
He founded the Hall of Fame in 1996, starting with $15,000 of his own funds. He reasoned that if Cleveland had a Hall of Fame for rock ‘n’ roll, why shouldn’t Cincinnati have one for classical music? Above all, he wanted to remove the stigma that classical music was elitist. Local and national arts organizations supported the idea, and it wasn’t long before he had a prestigious board of directors, an advisory council and a National Artistic Council.
The American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a non-profit celebrating both individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to American music and music in America. The initial inductions, held in Cincinnati Music Hall in 1998, included Marian Anderson, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Elliott Carter, Aaron Copland, Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington, Leontyne Price, John Philip Sousa, Isaac Stern and the United States Marine Band, and many others. Since then, there have been 165 inductees. Mr. Klingshirn and other trustees have traveled the country to present artists with the medallion that was created by another Cincinnati legend, wildlife artist John Ruthven.
Mr. Klingshirn had hoped to have a brick-and-mortar museum, but except for a brief period in a building on Fourth Street, the Hall of Fame has been mainly an online endeavor. He was pleased when the Hall of Fame initiated a “National Walk of Fame” at Washington Park, just outside of Music Hall.
Mr. Klingshirn was always full of energy and ideas, said Brian Shepard, chair of the Professional Organization Advisory Council and Chief Operating Officer of MTNA. He added that the Hall of Fame is in a rebuilding process following the pandemic, but the inductee selection processes will resume next spring, along with the events across the country for the medallion presentations.
“I will miss his friendship and his kind and generous spirit,” said Anthony DiCello, music director at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, downtown.
“David served as a Deacon at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and did wonderful work there ministering and supporting the cathedral’s various ministries including the liturgical ministries, music program, concert series and the outreach to the poor,” he said. “After he retired from active ministry at the cathedral, he continued ministry at St. Margaret Hall in O’Bryonville where he served the elderly and sick for a number of years. He did so with great dignity and compassion until he was too sick and weak himself to continue.”
Mr. Klingshirn was also a founder of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, helping to preserve the Samuel Hannaford & Sons-designed building that was built in 1908. After a recent renovation was completed, he told the Cincinnati Business Courier in 2019, “Memorial Hall was built to honor veterans. The music being played there is a nicer tribute to veterans than anything I can think of. Memorial Hall has always been that little stepchild next door to Music Hall. Memorial Hall has grown up.”
Mr. Klingshirn was born August 24, 1938 in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati School of Pharmacy in 1961 and he served in the United States Navy.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews and their families. Mass of Christian Burial and inurnment will be held on at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 23, at Salem Heights, Sisters of the Precious Blood Chapel, 4000 Denlinger Road, Dayton, Ohio 45426. In lieu of flowers and cards, a donation may be made to the Sebastian and Eleanor Scholarship Fund at Chaminade-Juliene High School (505 S. Ludlow St, Dayton, Ohio 45402).
The Hall of Fame plans to recognize Mr. Klingshirn in September. Details will be announced later.
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