D. Sterling Wheelwright

David Sterling Wheelwright was an assistant conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir under J. Spencer Cornwall. He served from 1936 to 1937.[1] He also served as a member of the Deseret Sunday School Union general board and as the secretary to the music committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was born on June 27, 1906, to David and Valborg Henrietta Louise Wheelwright. He was the older brother of Lorin F. Wheelwright. He studied music at Northwestern University where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. He earned his PhD from the University of Maryland. He was the fourth Latter-day Saint musician to earn a PhD.[2] While earning his PhD, he was the Church Chapel Director and organist in Washington, D.C.

He married Edna Lucile Wheelwright in 1926 and they had two children. He died of an apparent heart attack on May 19, 1965, in his office.[3] At the time of his death he was Professor of Music and Humanities at San Francisco State College.[4] He had been teaching there since 1946.