Tribute: Gretchen Garnett (1913-2013)

by Beverly Simmons & Ross W. Duffin — Special to ClevelandClassical

Gretchen Garnett, 1995

Gretchen Garnett died one day short of her hundredth birthday last month. When we arrived at Case Western Reserve in 1978, she was the longest-serving faculty member in the Music Department. She had been “grandfathered in” as an applied teacher of voice after the Joint Music Program was established between Case Western Reserve and the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1968, when CIM was given responsibility for all the applied music.

She continued to teach voice students with great success until her retirement around 1990. An extraordinary person and a joy to be around, she would hum happily as she walked, smile at everyone, and speak plainly and directly. Her wit was in evidence at the lunch we shared just before her 99th birthday and, when her 100th birthday party had to be postponed for other reasons, she suggested a date next March. So we were all shocked that she didn’t make it even to December 16 – the birthday she shared with Beethoven.

Advertisement

Harpist Jocelyn Chang, 59

The community of Cleveland freelance musicians and advocates for new music lost a treasured colleague and friend on Friday, November 19, 2010 when harpist Jocelyn Chang passed away at the age of 59.

Jocelyn performed in many contexts with her husband, flutist and composer Michael Leese, and was a longtime member of the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. An obituary by Donald Rosenberg was published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on November 24. A memorial concert will be held in Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm.

We invite Jocelyn’s many colleagues and friends to post a memory or a tribute by leaving a comment here (click on the link above). At Michael Leese’s request, memorial donations may be made to the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, c/o The Music Settlement, 11125 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106.

The following images were provided by Steve Eva from a photo shoot with the Chagrin Studio Orchestra at Christmas, 2008. The organizers of the memorial concert are creating a slideshow. If you would like to contribute an image, please see the comment below for details.

James F. Meyers Memorial Concert at KSU • February 13

A Musical Offering

to honor the memory of
James Fowler Meyers

(June 7, 1947 — January 23, 2010)

Ludwig Hall, Kent State University
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Photo Tribute to James Meyers

James Meyers, well-known and cherished member of Cleveland’s community of classical freelance musicians, died unexpectedly on January 23.  This album of photos has been put together by his friends and colleagues. Written reminiscences are here; blog visitors are welcome to add their thoughts.

Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra

Jim Meyers, cello

Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, Jim Meyers, cello

Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, Jim Meyers, cello

Jim Meyers, Bonnie Maky, Susan DeCamp, Sarah Adams at Joe Quittner’s studio

Meyers conducting Symphony West and Duo Anime at Baldwin-Wallace

Jim Meyers at Carol Ruzicka’s house-warming party

Trinity Chamber Orchestra, 9/30/09

Trinity Chamber Players, 9/30/09

With the Trinity Chamber Players, September 30, 2009

Heidi Albert, Jim Meyers and Mary Beth Ions

Leslie Braidech, Jim Meyers and Mary Beth Ions

Jim Meyers, 1968

Jim Meyers, 1969

Trinity Chamber Orchestra, October 1988

Jim Meyers and Kent Collier