We are repeating her obituary announcement from the Feb 16, Mansfield News Journal.
MANSFIELD ~ A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint pictures on silence. ~ Leopold Stokowski
Beth Newdome was an artist. She learned the integral difference of playing music and playing an instrument. In her hands, her violin gave voice to joy and sorrow, tears and laughter, interpreting emotion in a way words fail. Her upbeat personality made her a friend to many, and coupled with her talent on the violin, a much sought-after violin soloist.
A world-class violinist, Beth fought with cancer for over five years, and passed away Saturday, February 13, 2010.
Born February 6, 1964 in Mansfield, Beth was the daughter of William Peter Newdome, Sr. and Elva (Welday) Newdome. At the age of three, Beth started music lessons, studying under her mother Elva. She subsequently took lessons from Howard Beebe, Marya Giesy, and Michael Davis. While a student at Malabar High School, she played all four years with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.
While a grade school student, she was named “Outstanding Actress” at Hal McCuen’s Summer Theater.
Beth was the first student at the time to earn 12 years of consecutive Superior ratings in OFMC Junior Festivals, earning the 75 point cup, all the while winning auditions to solo with a number of orchestras including the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Kent State, Toledo and Columbus.
Named “Outstanding Girl” as a senior at Malabar High School, she was graduated in 1982. She excelled at swimming, winning numerous awards for her participation on Possum Run and Westbrook swim teams, specializing in relays and breaststroke.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” (Berthold Auerbach) a high calling for any life, and Beth had the talent and determination to pursue her music professionally.
Beth was active with summer music camps throughout Ohio and in the Tangelwood Music Festival in Tanglewood, Mass.
She studied music at Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Performance in 1986, studying under Charles Castleman. While at Eastman, she was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic.
She played under the tutelage of Max Rostal in Bern, Switzerland, Spoleto Opera Festival in Charleston, S.C., the Heidelberg (Germany) Music Festival, and Kent-Blossom Music Festival.
Just this past September, Beth traveled to Poland to participate with the World Orchestra for Peace.
She was a member of the Jacksonville (Fla) Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Dallas (Tx) Symphony Orchestra, and Atlanta (GA) Symphony Orchestra.
Beth was the principal violinist of the Georgian Chamber Players, and was the violinist of the Inman Trio with David Bjella and Brent Runnels. She lent her talents to the Iris Chamber Orchestra.
Beth took a one-year sabbatical from the Atlanta Symphony to teach violin at Stetson University in Deland, FL, and then returned to the Atlanta Symphony as Associate Concert Master. In August of 2002 she accepted a teaching position with Florida State University in Tallahassee as an Associate Professor of Violin. Each June she appeared with the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, and every August served on the violin artist faculty of the Aspen Music Festival. She was a frequent performer at Carnegie Hall.
She was a member of United Church in Tallahassee. Beth had been well rounded in her activities as an artist and in the sports of snow skiing, golfing, and tennis.
She is survived by her mother Elva Newdome of Mansfield; her sister Lynn Rose Newdome of Northampton, Mass.; her brother and sister-in-law William Peter Newdome, Jr. and Amy Newdome of Mansfield; an “adopted” sister and her husband Kristine & Alan Christiansen of Des Plains, Ill.; a niece Angela Ferrante; twin niece and nephew Ava Newdome and David Newdome; numerous aunts and cousins; and cherished friend Kenn Wagner.
Her father preceded her in death, as have numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The Newdome family will receive friends Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10 a.m. to noon in the parlor of First Presbyterian Church, 399 South Trimble Road, Mansfield, where her memorial service will follow at 12 noon. The Rev. Dennis R. Allison will officiate. The Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Newdome family.
Rather than flowers, the Newdomes suggest memorial contributions to Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, or Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra, or Mansfield Symphony Youth Strings, or First Presbyterian Church, and may be made at the church, through the funeral home.
Condolences to the Newdome family may be made online at: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. –William P. Merrill. Play on Beth, play on.
What are you gonna do when the sun goes down? Get right back on that merry-go-round!
3 comments:
I am so sorry to hear about this. My heart and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.
I wish I could say something eloquent and comforting to the family and friends. I played in the Malabar High School Orchestra with Beth during her Junior and Senior years. I did not know her well but she was, as all have said, an excellent musician and very fun to watch and accompany. I will never forget her Spotlight on Seniors performance...My sympathy and prayers for the family.
I was a friend of Beth's through tennis. She was always had a fun spirit and excelled at whatever she did. She left this life way too soon....but I know she is resting in peace. Bless you Beth and your family too!
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