The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society—in the midst of its 10th season, called “Treasures of Wonder”—recently lost a gem with the passing of former Concertmistress Shirley K. Lynch.
Musicians from throughout the state will join to perform musical works honoring her memory, with the proceeds to benefit the Shirley K. Lynch Orchestra Music Fund.
Lynch began as concertmistress in 1975, when Samuel Gorbach, conductor of the Santa Maria Symphony at the time, selected her for the position. She held it until 2005.
During that time, Lynch did much to promote music in the Santa Maria Valley.
After settling in Santa Maria in 1969, she was immediately hired to play in the Santa Barbara Symphony. She was also a member of the San Luis Obispo Symphony. She was concertmistress of PCPA’s theater productions for 13 years, until the orchestra switched to using synthesizers. She was a regular member of the Bakersfield Symphony and formed the Lyric String Quartet in Santa Maria.
Lynch was the first concertmistress of the newly formed Santa Maria Philharmonic and was instrumental in founding the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society. Before the 1960s, none of the major orchestras in the country would hire a woman, so Lynch was a pioneer in that respect. She was the only female player in the American Youth Orchestra Quartet under Dean Dixon’s leadership; she traveled and played concerts in New York City, Connecticut, and outlying areas.
She also performed with Isaac Stern, Isadore Cohn, Manecham Pressler, and others early in her career.
Sharon Cooper took over from Lynch as concertmistress at the Philharmonic. Cooper said following in Lynch’s footsteps made holding the position an honor.
“It was really nice to talk to someone of Shirley’s background and Shirley’s caliber,” Cooper said. “It gave me a feeling that I was walking into something professional and that the community really recognizes the arts.”
Lynch was instrumental in bringing string programs to Santa Maria children when she realized there were no such activities available. She developed a program called “From the Violin to the Fiddle” in which she visited most schools in Santa Maria and explained how the violin is played classically, as well as hoedown fiddle style. She would later bring the Santa Barbara Music Van to schools from Buellton to Santa Maria, to give students an even wider appreciation of music.
Violinist Bette Byers remembered Lynch as a professional who often lent a hand with some of Byers’ students.
“I had a few students I worked with, and when I had a couple that I didn’t have time to manage or that were a little difficult, I sent them to Shirley and she knew what to do,” Byers said. “She was a very nice person, a very accomplished violinist.”
Violinist Diane Siminski also knows much about Lynch’s professionalism and talent. Siminski served as assistant concertmaster to the Santa Maria Philharmonic from 1969 to 1975—prior to Lynch as concertmistress—and from 1975 through 1994, during Lynch’s tenure.
“I really enjoyed working with her,” Siminski said. “We always worked as a team, and that’s always important with handling the music.”
Siminski said Lynch was a terrific violinist and that she admired her technique and style of leading the orchestra.
“She was an excellent concertmistress,” Siminski said. “It’s a big responsibility to do it, and she took it on full blast.”
Siminski said that among other selections, she and the Lyric String Quartet will perform “Chardiss,” which is a violinist favorite, and other Lynch favorites, such as “Somewhere in Time,” and “Unforgettable.”
“It’s not all classical,” Siminski said. “There was another side to her.”
Musicians who knew Lynch are excited to perform the benefit concert of her favorite selections, especially because it’s a fundraiser, which will further Lynch’s goals of getting music into the community.
“She was a very sweet person, as well as knowledgeable,” Cooper said. “I miss her very badly, and I’m looking forward to putting on a great concert.”
Arts Editor Shelly Cone looks forward to great concerts. Contact her at scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 21-28, 2010.