Organist and Harpsichordist Aymeric Dupré la Tour has Died, Aged 49

The French-American keyboard player Aymeric Dupré la Tour, of Niantic, Connecticut, has tragically died following a car accident. Dupré la Tour was driving on the Interstate in the early hours of the morning when his car collided with a tractor-trailer in the adjacent lane.

Dupré la Tour was pronounced dead upon arrival at Yale New Haven Hospital, while the driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured.

An accomplished pianist, organist, and player of early keyboards, Dupré la Tour was brought up in France and trained initially at the Conservatoire National de Région of Lyon.

He then moved to America to take up a spot at the Oberlin Conservatory followed, where Dupré la Tour received a Master's degree in organ performance. He then went on to The Juilliard School for his doctorate.

Dupré la Tour had become well established in his local community. He played the organ at two local churches, and also worked as a vocal coach at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. He was also an artist in residence at Stonington's Zuckermann Harpsichords.

Dupré la Tour did a great deal to get the community interested in the playing of historical keyboards. He was the artistic director of the North Stonington Historical Society, as well as the music director at the Custom House Maritime Museum. He helped the museum acquire an 1814 square piano, raising funds through benefit concerts with the Connecticut Early Music Society.

"It remains a beautiful note that he has used his musical talents to bring consolation to families at funerals, to bring joy to families during weddings, and to give so much to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each Sunday and on high feast days," said Brian Gannon of St. Theresa's, the church where Dupré la Tour played.

"He touched the lives of many through his music."

Dupré la Tour is survived by his nine-year-old daughter, Ariana. Our condolences to Dupré la Tour's family, friends, and colleagues.