Harry Garland Obituary

Harry Garland

Biltmore Lake - Mr. Harry Garland, age 85, of Biltmore Lake, NC, passed away Monday, May 18th, 2015 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 24th at 4 PM at Linville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Roland Mullinix officiating. The family will receive friends from 3-4 PM prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Garland was a graduate of Lees McRae College and the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He pursued postgraduate studies at Trinity University in Texas and continued his operatic training on a Fulbright Scholarship at the Rome Opera in Italy where he studied under Luigi Ricci, friend and colleague of most, if not all of the Italian verismo composers.

A baritone, Mr. Garland performed in opera and concerts throughout the US and Italy. When his singing career was cut short by serious illness, he turned to teaching at the age of 28 and found his life's true calling.

Even as a classically trained singer, Mr. Garland always had a great love for the music of the American Musical Theater. In the 1960's he began work with students who wished to make the transition between classical and musical theater without sacrificing voice and technique in either field.

The following singers are but a partial list of the performers who studied under Mr. Garland: Metropolitan Opera singers William Walker, Dina Formichini, and Mario Sereni; pop singer Bon Jovi; film and recording star Bette Midler; Tony award winner Faith Prince whose Broadway credits include Guys and Dolls and the King and I; Broadway leading lady Rebecca Luker who has sung leads in the Phantom of the Opera Secret Garden and Showboat and is currently singing Maria in the Broadway revival of the Sound of Music; Michael Hayden who starred in the Lincoln Center production of Carousel; Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham who recently made his Broadway debut in Triumph of Love; Joyce Castle Metropolitan and international opera and concert singer; and Angelina Reaux concert and opera singer and acclaimed Kurt Weill interpreter.

Mr. Garland was preceded in death by his mother, Abby Garland; father, Robert Garland; and a brother, Ralph Garland.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Marian Garland Floyd and her husband, Dave; two nephews, Bob Garland and his wife, Carolyn, and nephew, Scott Garland; a niece, Linda King; two grand nieces, Tamara Garland and Shannon Garland and her son, Dalton; one grand nephew, Shane Garland and his wife, Karen, and son, Noah.

Memorial donations may be made to Lees McRae Performing Arts Department, PO Box 128, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Garland family. 828-733-2121

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Asheville Citizen-Times on May 22, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Garland

Sponsored by Lisa N. Abend.

12 Entries

william klein

October 30, 2021

HE was honest and a wonderful teacher. He took care of everyone in his circle of friends. I have missed him and have given to a charity in his memory. It is my prayer that HIS goodness will reappear.

Gabrielle Mason

December 5, 2020

"I'm (still) wild about Harry...." Lovely, gracious, funny, brilliant, eternally kind and encouraging... that was wonderful Harry! I had such a gift to study with him in a past performing life. Besides the gift of an unimagined belt, he filled me with equally unimagined confidence and brightened every day I was lucky enough to see him. What he taught stays in my heart through all sorts of teaching, coaching, parenting, social work, and life. To whoever reads this, thank you for this space to remember, and hoping this finds everyone well as can be... and still singing any way, anywhere "with a song in our hearts" for Harry. - p.s. I'm adding a pic from my side of a virtual music program for NYC folks living with early-stage dementia this bumpy 2020 spring. I didn't know Harry had passed then, so in retrospect want to dedicate that work, and against-the-odds joy of singing show tunes together, to his memory - xo Gabrielle

Joyce castle

May 16, 2020

And I miss him still!!! Joyce.

Mario

May 16, 2020

I studied voice with Harry for many years. He was a wonderful man who really understood the voice. He will be missed.

Joyce Castle

May 21, 2019

Harry was a godsend to me.....took me through allllll those roles. Always positive and caring. I studied with him maybe 20 years. I miss him!

Tom Hafner

January 12, 2018

Harry will be remembered by so many singers it's hard to name them all. I will never forget the lessons I learned not only about singing but about love and life. He made you feel so welcomed.
Thank you Harry RIP

Mario Di Rosa

January 18, 2016

I studied with Harry for several years after I was discharged from the Army. He helped me to cover the tenor top range which helped me work all of my life. He was a kind and generous man. He will be missed. My stage name was David Grayson.

Esther Hyun

December 3, 2015

Harry was such a kind man and a brilliant and inspiring teacher. I was an actor at the time, and definitely NOT a singer. Yet, he was gracious enough to teach me for a few years back in the '90's. I treasure those lessons and his nonjudgmental approach to teaching. After receiving a Reiki 2nd degree initiation, I enjoyed giving him Reiki sessions. If I'm not mistaken, he may have sought reiki training himself. Sending belated prayers and blessings to his family and friends.

Lisa Abend

November 19, 2015

Harry Garland was a wonderfully kind and gifted teacher who inspired his students and made us feel seen and heard. It was a privilege to know him, and to be graced with his guidance and friendship. I will never forget him. My deepest condolences to his family, and his many beloved friends and students.

May 27, 2015

Harry was not just a but warm, generous Individual who cared about his students,his neighbors and the world around d him with compassion and respect. He was and a
Always be remembered as a caring individual. William Klein. in c

Joyce Castle

May 27, 2015

Harry was my loving and brilliant voice teacher for over 30 years. I owe so much to him. He navigated me through so many varied and treacherous roles - always leading me back to the basics of good singing. He was my dear friend.

Julienne St. James

May 21, 2015

Harry was a brilliant teacher and darling man. I feel the gifts he gave me musically and personally, will be with my forever. I miss him, already. To his family, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results