The bells at Mount Angel Abbey will continue to ring as a constant reminder of Father David Nicholson, who dedicated his life to bringing music to the Abbey and people's lives. Nicholson, a monk of Mount Angel Abbey, died June 9.

"We called him 'Dom David,' an affectionate term that means good friend," said Robert L. Stevens, a longtime friend.

Nicholson was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1919 to British citizens John and Mary Whitfield Nicholson.

"Father David took pride in his British lineage and in classical music, especially in Gregorian Chant, for which he received recognition," said Father Gregory Duerr, who served with Nicholson at the Mount Angel Abbey.

Gregorian Chants, otherwise known as "plain song," have only one line of notes, it is not a harmony. "He was an incredible musician. He was the chief organist for years. He was the ultimate musician," Stevens said.

Nicholson was studying to become a chartered accountant but was conscripted into the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1940-41. With advice of the bishop in Calgary he appealed for a release from military service to enter a seminary and study for the priesthood. He was granted a release and entered the University of Ottawa, in Ontario, Canada, in 1941. He completed his theological studies in 1950.

After ordination, his life as a monk emphasized music, primarily Gregorian Chant, which he studied at six universities in the U.S. and in England. Nicholson also had two extended periods of study of Gregorian Chant at Solesmes Abbey in France, which is a highly-regarded center for the study of Gregorian Chant. In 1968 he earned a master's of music from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Ill.

His work as a choirmaster began in 1950 at Mount Angel Seminary, and continued there to 1965. During those same years he taught Gregorian Chant to novices and seminarians. This is where Stevens met Nicholson.