Emma Elizabeth Herr

Herr Emma Elizabeth Herr, age 78, of 1310 Rose Ave. Lancaster, PA, passed away on Friday, January 27, 2012, at her residence. Born in Columbia, she was a daughter of the late Girvin Raymond and Anna Christine Biffart Herr. She was a vocal music teacher for seven years and a first and second grade teacher for thirty years in the Warwick School District. After retirement in 1995, she gave many music performances in retirement homes throughout Lancaster and York Counties. She played the clarinet in the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra for thirty years. She also played clarinet and saxophone in various musical shows and operas in the Fulton Theatre. She performed with the Red Rose City Band, the Lancaster City Band, the Shawnee Band of Columbia, the Bainbridge Band and the Concert Band of Lancaster. She was a member of the Local 294 American Federation of Musicians for 52 years, and performed with local concert and marching bands throughout that period of time. She studies clarinet performance from Virginia Darnell, Lancaster; Frank Stachow, Lebanon Valley College; George Rowe, Philadelphia Orchestra; Anthony Gigliotti, Philadelphia Orchestra; and Robert Rose, Lebanon Valley College. She graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1951; Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education in 1957 and Millersville State College with a Masters of Education Degree in 1970. She also attended the University of Michigan for graduate work in music education. She was a 64-year member of Grace Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and Bible School classes for elementary aged children for about 40 years. She also was a member of the handbell choir. She was a member of and president of the Warwick Education Association for two years and a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the National Education Association. She also was a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees. She was a member of the Musical Art Society of Lancaster where she held numerous positions such as recording secretary for 13 years and president for 4 years. She also was a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Pennsylvania Federation of Music Clubs. In the P.F.M.C. she held the position of Vice President in Charge of the Philadelphia Region; Chamber Music chairman; and co-chairman of the Philadelphia South Region Festival. She enjoyed reading, listening to classical music, practicing clarinet music, planting flowers and staying at her home. A sister, Anna Julia Sheaffer, wife of W. Robert, of Holtwood and brother R. Girvin Herr, Jr., husband of Betty, of Dayton NV, survive Emma. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Emma's Life Celebration Funeral Service at Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St., Lancaster, PA, on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Stephen P. Verkouw, officiating. Interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Funeral Home of Fred F. Groff, Inc., 234 W. Orange St., Lancaster, PA, on Thursday from 7-9 PM and at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until time of service. Please omit flowers, if desired memorial contributions may be sent in Emma's name to the Lancaster Musical Art Society, c/o James Martin, 21 Denlinger Ave., Strasburg, PA 17579-1307. To share your fondest memories of Emma visit www.lifecelebration.com Fred F. Groff, Inc. A Life Celebration Home 234 W. Orange St. Lancaster, PA 17603 717-397-8255