Shirley Smith, Conductor
When my phone rang this morning with the caller being a friend from Bar Harbor, Maine, where I had performed countless times with conductor Shirley Smith, I knew what news might be coming. Shirley had died yesterday. A large Maine coast ocean wave of sadness washed over me. Shirley…..how does one describe Shirley Smith? Down home, no nonsense, wore jeans, t shirts and sneakers to rehearsal, rugged enough to survive numerous brutal Maine winters and damaging ice storms, honest, sentimental, lover of dogs, a good musician and organist, a good conductor, crazy sense of humor whose contagious laughter sent sparks of delight through a room. For 23 years she led the Acadia Choral Society in programs from the Mozart “Requiem,” Verdi’s “Requiem,” opera choruses, Purcell’s “Ode on St. Cecilia,” a staged version of “Dido and Aeneas,” Brahms’ “Requiem,” creative Holiday programs and much more. Her chorus was always well prepared and her orchest...