Laura Virginia Tillotson, 84, a longtime resident of Brevard, peacefully passed into eternal rest Dec. 12, 2017.
Known as "Ginny," "Tillie," and "Miss Tilly," she leaves behind a world made brighter by her smile, more beautiful through her music, funnier with her ever present humor and happier with her laughter.
Born in Hendersonville, she is survived by her brother, James L. Tillotson (Judy), of Charlotte, N.C., several nieces, cousins and countless dear friends.
She joins her parents, Harold and Eunice Tillotson; brother, Harold Jr .; sister, Myrtle Ann; nephew, Scott Tillotson; great-niece, Cyndie Candler Mattingly; and many other relatives.
Growing up next to her grandparent's boarding house, The Cottage Hotel, she played clarinet in high school and received a scholarship from James Pfohl to attend Transylvania Music Camp, today's Brevard Music Center. She would return to Brevard Music Center every summer after, through college and graduate school and into her teaching career.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University in Texas, her Master of Music Degree at the University of Illinois, pursued doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Jacksonville Univer-sity, Northwestern Univer-sity and Frostburg State University and studied conducting on multiple overseas trips.
She began teaching in Jacksonville, Fla. before returning to North Carolina to join the faculty at the Brevard College of Music, where she spent over three decades teaching woodwinds, directing concert bands and eventually, chairing the Fine Arts department. In her "spare" time, she served on Brevard Music Center's artist faculty and performed as principal clarinetist (Asheville Symphony, Brevard Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Center).
From 1980 until 2001, she was the conductor and artistic director of the Brevard Chamber Orchestra (predecessor of Brevard Philharmonic). Under her direction, the Brevard Philharmonic grew into a renowned 55-piece orchestra with guest artists as varied as Phyllis Diller and Robert Moog.
Enjoying a remarkable rapport with audiences, she also conducted the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra from 1989 to 1993. She retired in 2001.
In 2005, the Brevard Chamber Orchestra Association honored her with a Golden Baton and conductor emeritus status.
"The much-loved Tillotson relished the moment among old friends and delivered very funny remarks that kept all the hearts in check."
In 2011, the Brevard Philharmonic honored her during its 35th anniversary celebration, an observer noting that "a conversation with Tillotson is peppered with comic anecdotes and quick-witted come-backs that, while delivered gently, showcase her wicked sense of humor and love of life."
In 2016, she published her memoirs, "Conducting Matters, a Sonata of Life."
Accomplished musician, composer, conductor, author, sister and friend, she was above all an educator who found joy inspiring young people to explore the magical world of music. Many of the students nurtured would attend prestigious conservatories and pursue careers in music, some becoming teachers, bandleaders and professional performers.
Miss Tilly will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
Known as "Ginny," "Tillie," and "Miss Tilly," she leaves behind a world made brighter by her smile, more beautiful through her music, funnier with her ever present humor and happier with her laughter.
Born in Hendersonville, she is survived by her brother, James L. Tillotson (Judy), of Charlotte, N.C., several nieces, cousins and countless dear friends.
She joins her parents, Harold and Eunice Tillotson; brother, Harold Jr .; sister, Myrtle Ann; nephew, Scott Tillotson; great-niece, Cyndie Candler Mattingly; and many other relatives.
Growing up next to her grandparent's boarding house, The Cottage Hotel, she played clarinet in high school and received a scholarship from James Pfohl to attend Transylvania Music Camp, today's Brevard Music Center. She would return to Brevard Music Center every summer after, through college and graduate school and into her teaching career.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University in Texas, her Master of Music Degree at the University of Illinois, pursued doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Jacksonville Univer-sity, Northwestern Univer-sity and Frostburg State University and studied conducting on multiple overseas trips.
She began teaching in Jacksonville, Fla. before returning to North Carolina to join the faculty at the Brevard College of Music, where she spent over three decades teaching woodwinds, directing concert bands and eventually, chairing the Fine Arts department. In her "spare" time, she served on Brevard Music Center's artist faculty and performed as principal clarinetist (Asheville Symphony, Brevard Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Center).
From 1980 until 2001, she was the conductor and artistic director of the Brevard Chamber Orchestra (predecessor of Brevard Philharmonic). Under her direction, the Brevard Philharmonic grew into a renowned 55-piece orchestra with guest artists as varied as Phyllis Diller and Robert Moog.
Enjoying a remarkable rapport with audiences, she also conducted the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra from 1989 to 1993. She retired in 2001.
In 2005, the Brevard Chamber Orchestra Association honored her with a Golden Baton and conductor emeritus status.
"The much-loved Tillotson relished the moment among old friends and delivered very funny remarks that kept all the hearts in check."
In 2011, the Brevard Philharmonic honored her during its 35th anniversary celebration, an observer noting that "a conversation with Tillotson is peppered with comic anecdotes and quick-witted come-backs that, while delivered gently, showcase her wicked sense of humor and love of life."
In 2016, she published her memoirs, "Conducting Matters, a Sonata of Life."
Accomplished musician, composer, conductor, author, sister and friend, she was above all an educator who found joy inspiring young people to explore the magical world of music. Many of the students nurtured would attend prestigious conservatories and pursue careers in music, some becoming teachers, bandleaders and professional performers.
Miss Tilly will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
Laura Virginia Tillotson, 84, a longtime resident of Brevard, peacefully passed into eternal rest Dec. 12, 2017.
Known as "Ginny," "Tillie," and "Miss Tilly," she leaves behind a world made brighter by her smile, more beautiful through her music, funnier with her ever present humor and happier with her laughter.
Born in Hendersonville, she is survived by her brother, James L. Tillotson (Judy), of Charlotte, N.C., several nieces, cousins and countless dear friends.
She joins her parents, Harold and Eunice Tillotson; brother, Harold Jr .; sister, Myrtle Ann; nephew, Scott Tillotson; great-niece, Cyndie Candler Mattingly; and many other relatives.
Growing up next to her grandparent's boarding house, The Cottage Hotel, she played clarinet in high school and received a scholarship from James Pfohl to attend Transylvania Music Camp, today's Brevard Music Center. She would return to Brevard Music Center every summer after, through college and graduate school and into her teaching career.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University in Texas, her Master of Music Degree at the University of Illinois, pursued doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Jacksonville Univer-sity, Northwestern Univer-sity and Frostburg State University and studied conducting on multiple overseas trips.
She began teaching in Jacksonville, Fla. before returning to North Carolina to join the faculty at the Brevard College of Music, where she spent over three decades teaching woodwinds, directing concert bands and eventually, chairing the Fine Arts department. In her "spare" time, she served on Brevard Music Center's artist faculty and performed as principal clarinetist (Asheville Symphony, Brevard Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Center).
From 1980 until 2001, she was the conductor and artistic director of the Brevard Chamber Orchestra (predecessor of Brevard Philharmonic). Under her direction, the Brevard Philharmonic grew into a renowned 55-piece orchestra with guest artists as varied as Phyllis Diller and Robert Moog.
Enjoying a remarkable rapport with audiences, she also conducted the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra from 1989 to 1993. She retired in 2001.
In 2005, the Brevard Chamber Orchestra Association honored her with a Golden Baton and conductor emeritus status.
"The much-loved Tillotson relished the moment among old friends and delivered very funny remarks that kept all the hearts in check."
In 2011, the Brevard Philharmonic honored her during its 35th anniversary celebration, an observer noting that "a conversation with Tillotson is peppered with comic anecdotes and quick-witted come-backs that, while delivered gently, showcase her wicked sense of humor and love of life."
In 2016, she published her memoirs, "Conducting Matters, a Sonata of Life."
Accomplished musician, composer, conductor, author, sister and friend, she was above all an educator who found joy inspiring young people to explore the magical world of music. Many of the students nurtured would attend prestigious conservatories and pursue careers in music, some becoming teachers, bandleaders and professional performers.
Miss Tilly will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
Known as "Ginny," "Tillie," and "Miss Tilly," she leaves behind a world made brighter by her smile, more beautiful through her music, funnier with her ever present humor and happier with her laughter.
Born in Hendersonville, she is survived by her brother, James L. Tillotson (Judy), of Charlotte, N.C., several nieces, cousins and countless dear friends.
She joins her parents, Harold and Eunice Tillotson; brother, Harold Jr .; sister, Myrtle Ann; nephew, Scott Tillotson; great-niece, Cyndie Candler Mattingly; and many other relatives.
Growing up next to her grandparent's boarding house, The Cottage Hotel, she played clarinet in high school and received a scholarship from James Pfohl to attend Transylvania Music Camp, today's Brevard Music Center. She would return to Brevard Music Center every summer after, through college and graduate school and into her teaching career.
She earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University in Texas, her Master of Music Degree at the University of Illinois, pursued doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), Jacksonville Univer-sity, Northwestern Univer-sity and Frostburg State University and studied conducting on multiple overseas trips.
She began teaching in Jacksonville, Fla. before returning to North Carolina to join the faculty at the Brevard College of Music, where she spent over three decades teaching woodwinds, directing concert bands and eventually, chairing the Fine Arts department. In her "spare" time, she served on Brevard Music Center's artist faculty and performed as principal clarinetist (Asheville Symphony, Brevard Chamber Orchestra, Brevard Music Center).
From 1980 until 2001, she was the conductor and artistic director of the Brevard Chamber Orchestra (predecessor of Brevard Philharmonic). Under her direction, the Brevard Philharmonic grew into a renowned 55-piece orchestra with guest artists as varied as Phyllis Diller and Robert Moog.
Enjoying a remarkable rapport with audiences, she also conducted the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra from 1989 to 1993. She retired in 2001.
In 2005, the Brevard Chamber Orchestra Association honored her with a Golden Baton and conductor emeritus status.
"The much-loved Tillotson relished the moment among old friends and delivered very funny remarks that kept all the hearts in check."
In 2011, the Brevard Philharmonic honored her during its 35th anniversary celebration, an observer noting that "a conversation with Tillotson is peppered with comic anecdotes and quick-witted come-backs that, while delivered gently, showcase her wicked sense of humor and love of life."
In 2016, she published her memoirs, "Conducting Matters, a Sonata of Life."
Accomplished musician, composer, conductor, author, sister and friend, she was above all an educator who found joy inspiring young people to explore the magical world of music. Many of the students nurtured would attend prestigious conservatories and pursue careers in music, some becoming teachers, bandleaders and professional performers.
Miss Tilly will be missed by many whose lives she touched.
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