IN MEMORIAM

Dr. GENE JINSIONG CHO

卓仁祥

9/27/1933 - 10/27/2023

Faculty 1972 – 2016

Regents Professor of Music Theory and Ethnomusicology

It is with great sadness that Dr. Gene Jinsiong Cho, an emeritus Regents Professor of Music Theory at the University of North Texas (UNT), passed away on October 27th, 2023. Being on the music faculty for over 4 decades, his positive influence on his colleagues and students was immeasurable. Dr. Cho received his PhD in music theory from Northwestern University and was a celebrated Regents Professor at UNT and a distinguished guest professor at universities in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.

At UNT he taught many courses, including pedagogy of theory, music theory analysis, aural skills, among others, to much endearment. His humor and wit captivated and delighted his students and colleagues.  Dr. Cho was a member of the Charter Editorial Board of the Journal of Music Theory Pedagogy, and an editorial board member of the Journal of Music in China. His compositions and arrangements for voice, piano, ensemble, and orchestra have been performed worldwide in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Dr. Cho was an esteemed author and his publications cover topics of wide-ranging interest, from theory pedagogy manuals and monographs in music theory and historical ethnomusicology, to anthologies examining sociological and anthropological observations and religious and ethnic characterizations.  A selection of titles he authored include "Theories and Practice of Harmonic Analysis"; "The Discovery of Musical Equal Temperament in China and Europe in the Sixteenth Century"; "Music Culture of China: Is Music a Universal Language?"; "Lu-Lu: A Study of Its Historical, Acoustical and Symbolic Signification"; and "The East is East and the West is West, or is it?".  One of his monographs, "The Replica of the Ark of the Covenant in Japan: The Mystery of MiFune-Shiro", fused religion studies with Japanese cultural history for a glimpse into the interplay of new and old traditions.   He was commissioned to write music for a stage play titled Confucius, and a musical literary tone poem, Abraham Lincoln: The Whole Heart, for orchestra, chorus, solo and narrators.

Dr. Cho taught courses in ethnomusicology in China and Japan and directed field study programs to Asia, presenting at hundreds of lectures, clinics and workshops in theory, conducting and composition in six countries outside the United States. He was honored by the UNT International Education Committee for his distinguished service to international education in 1990.

Outside UNT, Dr. Cho's passion for music and his deep faith led him to become a beloved member and the choir director at the Southmont Baptish Church in Denton, Texas and later at the Mayflower Congregational Church (subsequently renamed as Flower Mound Community Church) in Lewisville, Texas, where he also served as the choir director for many years.  As a choir music director, Dr. Cho used his musical talents to uplift the spirts of countless congregations, and his commitment to sharing the message of Christ through music brought comfort and inspiration to many.  Dr. Cho led various church programs and initiatives at churches in the US and in Asia throughout his lifetime.  Dr. Cho was the eldest son of Reverend Henry Cho, a well-known minister who helped shape and establish the early Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.

In addition to being a renowned professor and musician, Dr. Cho was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a humble servant of Christ, and a renaissance man of many talents who inspired his friends and family and instilled joy in their hearts.  Dr. Cho left an incredible legacy through his devoted teaching and leadership at UNT spanning 44 years that shaped generations of colleagues and students. May his influence and dedication continue to resonate in the lives he touched.

A memorial service to celebrate Dr. Cho's life will be held on November 18, 2023 at the Southmont Baptist Church at 2801 Pennsylvania Dr., Denton Texas 76205.  Viewing will take place at 10am with service commencing at 11am.