Noel Kirby Lester, 65, of Frederick, Maryland, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

Born in Lockport, New York, on June 26, 1951 to William Harold Lester and Jeanne Jessup Lester, he was a 1969 graduate of Mathews High School. He went on to earn his BM, MM and DMA degrees in piano performance from Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland.

He was a professor of music at Hood College in Frederick from 1974-2016 and served as chair of the music department for 24 of those years. A concert pianist, he toured the United States, Europe and Japan many times, and made recordings of his own solo playing, collaborative music and family recordings.

He was preceded in death by his mother and a brother.

Survivors include his wife, RoseAnn Markow Lester; his father, a daughter, a son, a sister, two brothers and a grandson.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, Maryland.