JAVS Fall 2011

Keith Conant

of revitalizing the stringed instrument department of Kagan & Gaines Music Company. Within a few years he opted to work from his home and focus on what he did best—helping musicians find the highest quali ty, most appropriate instruments (especially violas) and bows to fit their talents, needs, and budgets. This Eric did with great energy, knowledge, creativity, and generosity of spirit. he brought unimpeachable integrity to a trade not always known for high ethical standards. Beyond that he radiated love for music, instruments, and people. he treated a young student shopping for a starter instrument with the same respect he accorded to a high-budget client looking for one by an old Italian master. he never stopped learning and teaching. Even in his last two weeks, aware that the end was approaching, Eric continued to help luthiers and musicians. he and his wife Adina (a trombonist, for mer music school dean, and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who now teaches about food in a Chicago high school) hosted a reception for a visiting luthier from Germany about whose work Eric was greatly enthusiastic. My own final contact with Eric was typical. A young violist won the student concerto competition of the community orchestra in which I play. One of the judges was concerned that the young woman’s instrument seemed weak, especially on the C string, and discovered that this petite fifteen year-old was playing a violin strung as a viola. I phoned Eric to discuss the problem. Without missing a beat, he offered to send to North Carolina a lovely 14.5 inch instrument that had been the first viola played by his own daughter, Ariel. he also arranged for the instru ment to be set up and fitted with new pegs. The stu dent received the instrument and played her first rehearsal on it with our orchestra on the day that Eric passed away. Eric Chapman passed away on April 7, 2011, of lung cancer (non-smoker’s) in the Chicago suburbs at age 67. he is survived by Adina, Ariel (a very talented young violist), and a son Raphael. I can’t begin to express how much he will be missed.

Keith Conant, the principal violist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, passed away on September 15, 2011, from a heart attack at the age of 49. Born in Rockville Centre, New york, he studied viola with Paul Doktor at Juilliard and with Karen Tuttle at the Aspen Music Festival. In 1987 he joined the Chicago Lyric Opera as Assistant Principal Viola becoming Principal Viola a decade later. Conant also appeared frequently as a chamber musician and soloist, helping to found the Rembrandt Chamber Players in 1990. Conant taught viola privately and served as an adjunct instructor of music at Valparaiso university in Indiana. he had previously held positions with the Seattle Symphony, American Philharmonic Orchestra, New york youth Symphony, and Tanglewood young Artists Orchestra. Conant is survived by his partner, Daniel Goss.

Mark Furth

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