George Shangrow

26Sep10

It was a few weeks ago. And I could’ve told by the weather the day would’ve turned out quite differently than I’d expect. It started out heavy and gray with drizzling of rain. And by the time I’d arrived at my destination the sun was shining. I’d arrived at a memorial for a man I’d never met. A first for me, but see, I know his brother-in-law, David Utevsky, someone I’ve been lucky enough to get to know over the  past few years and come to respect greatly. So I’d come to pay my respects and show my support for David and his family. Little, though, did I know how I’d be affected by this man I’d never met, George Shangrow.

To the University Christian Church in Seattle, WA, I’d make it there for the ceremony just as it started at 2pm. I somehow managed to slip into one of the last remaining balcony seats when the music began. And even after it began people continued pouring in and overflowing throughout the halls, sitting on stairs, sitting wherever room could be found in between aisles, leaning against walls, standing in aisles just to be there. And from the stage and podium instrumentalists and vocalists were overflowing.

George Shangrow was a man of music and a distinguished one who, from what I understand, won the hearts of community members with his musical prowess as well as his hometown loyalty. He founded the Seattle Chamber Singers, Orchestra Seattle and his list of contributions goes on. And where others might have easily taken their musical gifts to someplace far away to make their name, he instead based himself out of the area where he grew up. And from the outpouring of song and love demonstrated in the music and remembrances and the reverent presence of attendees, it seems pretty safe to say his roots grew deep in this community. I had to remind myself this was a memorial and not a concert; the music performances were so sublime in quality and heart. The remembrances were touching and funny with stories told by loved ones. Story after story painted a picture of a man who lived fearlessly and included others in his many journeys, of a jokester, of one who chose to see life as more joyful than painful, of one who knew the importance of sharing the gifts that one is given. A man of the cloth spoke of this man as a bright light and yet reminded us all that every lamp has a shadow as no man is perfect; and still George was loved in this community in all his many ways.

I left the memorial grateful for the experience and also wishing I’d known George Shangrow. But maybe in some small way I did get to know him in that I came away inspired to be a better musician and a better human and best of all to share these parts of myself to hopefully inspire others forward. I close with a quote found fastened to George’s computer:

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a health child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Here are links to articles in the Seattle Times and Seattle P-I about George, to tributes posted at the Orchestra Seattle site, the published death notice and related articles.

http://www.seattlepi.com/thiel/425574_thiel24.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2012535854_shangrow08.html

http://www.osscs.org/

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=george-shangrow&pid=144529680

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012509572_conductordeath02m.html

http://crosscut.com/blog/crosscut/19662/Remembering-George-Shangrow/

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Thanks for lending your ears.

Truly,

JR

(c)JR Rhodes

http://www.jrrecordingco.com

http://www.myspace.com/jrrecording

http://www.twitter.com/jrrecordingco

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Tags: George Shangrow, Music, Musician, Seattle