“Richard Myers of Grand Island, principal trombonist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for 39 years, died unexpectedly Dec. 7 in Kenmore Mercy Hospital,” reads an unsigned obituary in Monday’s (12/15) Buffalo News (New York). “Born Claude Richard Myers in Oklahoma City, he attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where he was inspired by renowned trombone teacher Emory Remington. ‘His way of teaching trombone was, he taught it as a lyrical instrument,’ he told an interviewer in 2012.… Myers was hired by music director Josef Krips as principal trombonist for the BPO in 1955 and finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Buffalo…. He retired in 1994. In 1960, Mr. Myers founded the Buffalo Trombone Choir and was its conductor for more than 50 years…. He was an adjunct professor of music at UB until 1994 and gave lessons to hundreds of students in his home. He continued working with his students until the day before his death…. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Florence ‘Susie’ Denault, an English horn player with the BPO for more than 40 years; three daughters … and six grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo.”
Posted December 16, 2014
