Ardean Watts

He was truely magic on the piano and played it many times in the Stratford ward. Rollar skating from his home to work at the U.

I loved working with Ardean Watts while attending the University of Utah as a soprano soloist. When I sang the role of Frasquita in Carmen he stopped me dead in my singing tracks and told me I was looking like a Sunday School teacher. I quickly changed my posturing and laughed. I loved rehearsing the role of the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. He taught me so much and had such a beautiful passion for music and was always building confidence in all of us who worked under his baton....

The Refreshing
i.Our first childhood reminded us
Of where we first began to dream
And where we first began to care
And where we first began to share
The truths of love
And the secrets of hope
Of who we are and
Where it all started

ii.The refreshing of our souls
Is the place we should have started
That forgotten place together
Out of the weather where
The truth of things
And the secrets of hope
Of who we are...

I had the honor of studying music theory with Ardean. He was amazing. I have yet to find a reference to mushrooms in any of the numerous theory books I have studied; however, he always seemed to be able work the topic into class without any problems. He was truly unique----a great teacher, and a greater person. He will never be forgotten.

Dear Elna and Watts kids,
I attended the memorial at University of Utah. It was so touching and beautiful and great to see everyone again. I was surprised that nobody mentioned rollerskating across the Golden Gate bridge. I have vivid memories of being at your house on Stratford a lot as a child. Espesially for Sunday night popcorn, and jumping on the trampoline in that huge upstairs room. The memorial brought back so many great memories of hanging out at your house and playing with the...

Maestro Ardean was always a work-in-progress, who reinvented himself and was a connoisseur of the world. Life was a smorgasbord to Ardean, and his great vast inquisitive mind. His ingenuity for the arts and nature was without equal among his peers, yet he was a true friend to the common people around him. Although I only have a modicum knowledge or interest in mushrooms, he would regale me with stories of their genus and background, to the point I almost felt ashamed and embarrassed for not...

Today I was reminiscing and searched for Ardean only to learn of his passing. He led an extraordinary life, and the last thing I expected was this. I still vividly remember his advice from when I was a student at the U. Little did he know that his words would be carried by me all these years. So it is with great sadness that I write. His influence will last for generations.

David Barber
former student of Chris Tiemeyer
former member, US Marine Band chamber orchestra

Let me add to these condolences a memory of his wit.

During the Q&A session of one of the first Utah Opera educational gathering at the Capitol Theater, a man stood and said "On behalf of all the citizens of the great state of Utah, I want to thank you for bringing the Grand Ole Opry back to Utah" Mr. Watts response was a quick... "Yahoo! Thank yah."

It was an honor to walk in the shadow of Ardean Watts