Longtime Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra flutist Karen Adrian died

by PegNews wire

FORT WORTH — Karen Adrian, assistant principal flutist and principal piccolo with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for many years, passed away on Saturday, October 17. She was 65.

Adrian was a talented and dedicated performer, whose playing often received critical acclaim. She had recently retired from the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra after more than 30 years, which included three major tours to Mexico, China, and Spain. She was an adjunct professor of flute at Texas Christian University, where she performed in solo and chamber recitals. She also played the flute, alto flute and piccolo for many of Casa Mañana’s musicals. In addition, she was a proud recipient of the FWSO’s 1995 American Airlines Distinguished Musician Award.

Adrian’s recordings include "A Festival of Hymns" with the Broadway Festival Chorus and Brass, "Steal Away Home," and "Sigh of the Soul" with soprano Lynda Poston-Smith, and her solo CD Flute Fantasies and Favorites.

Before moving to Fort Worth, she performed with the Colorado Philharmonic, Chamber Players of Washington, D.C., Toledo Symphony Orchestra, and Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She earned her bachelor and master of music degrees from Indiana University, graduating with highest honors, and received the prestigious Performer’s Certificate — the first to be awarded to a flutist. At Indiana University, she studied with Harry Houdeshel and James Pellerite and chamber music with Janos Starker. During the summers, she performed with the American Wind Symphony and began studying with Julius Baker in New York, and later studied with Jean Pierre Rampal, John Krell, and Keith Underwood.

Adrian is survived by her partner John Tinsley of Fort Worth and her daughter, Sheryl Salch, of Houston.

Source: Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra