Arnold Gregorian

1944 - 2023

Arnold Gregorian

September 11, 1944 - September 3, 2023

Glyndon, Maryland - Arnold Gregorian Craver, son of the late Earl and Rose Craver of Fresno, died September 3, 2023 in Maryland after a long illness. Arnold was a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, Class of 1963, where he was active in the band and student politics. He completed the technical course of study as an electrician at Fresno City College before making the decision to accept a scholarship in double bass to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore where he studied with the late John Mathews. After two years of intensive study on the double bass he accepted a position with the Dallas Symphony where he became its youngest member. He later joined the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, retiring in 2014. Early in his professional career, he decided to use his mother's maiden name of Gregorian.

Arnold's first steps toward a career in music were made possible by the music program of the Fresno City Schools and especially by its director, the late Malcolm Davison. The local American Federation of Musicians twice awarded him a scholarship to the eight-week Congress of Strings in East Lansing Michigan where he studied with Warren Benfield, Principal of the Chicago Symphony and played with other young gifted string musicians sometimes under guest conductors such as Eugene Ormandy. It was like a miracle, he said, when Benfield told him he was good enough to become a professional symphony musician.

In his early career, Arnold received scholarships to Kneisel Hall, Maine, and to Music Academy of the West and played in the Aspen Music Festival Orchestra. Among his bass solo appearances were a sponsored solo recital in Carnegie Hall in 1985, Machold Gallery in 2000 and Temple University where he played with pianist, Charles Abramovic. With his wife, Julie Green, also a member of the Baltimore Symphony, he often participated in chamber music series and performances in the Greater Baltimore and Washington DC areas. As an Adjunct Professor of Music, he taught double bass at Towson State, Catholic University and Temple University. Upon his retirement from the BSO he gave a solo recital and participated in chamber series, sometimes with his wife, at venues in the Bay Area and California Central Coast.

Arnold's high school and college friends will remember that he was also a good auto mechanic, rebuilding the engine on the 1931 Model A Ford his father had given him before he was old enough for a driver's permit, and installing a hot rod engine with the help of his friends a few years later. Before leaving Fresno for his new position with the Dallas Symphony he put in a 1956 engine and made sure all systems were modern enough for the long trip. At truck stops, truckers would comment on the Model A that had passed them with a double bass in the passenger seat. Later in life he supervised the restoration of the car to "all-original" and won at least one first prize award in an annual antique car show in Pennsylvania.

Arnold brought his keen eye and technical abilities to his understanding of the mechanics of the bass and in retirement marketed internationally his small-batch version of Gaston Brohan's oak rosin for double bass.

Arnold was quiet and intense and showed great determination and courage throughout his life. His family will miss him but we are comforted by the thought that he will be with our Lord and Saviour, perhaps playing his bass with the Heavenly Chorus.

He is survived by his wife, Julie Green Gregorian, Assistant Principal Bassoon of the Baltimore Symphony, his son, Heig Gregorian (Silva) of Glendale California, daughters, Dr. Mariam G. Strom (David) and Anahid G. Brady (Dr. James), both of Bethesda Maryland, his sister, Dr. Earlene Craver Leijonhufvud of Pismo Beach, his brother, Norman Craver (Shirley) of Montclair California, and two grandchildren, Juliet and Sevana.

Services will be held on October 29 in Glyndon United Methodist and interment on October 30 in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium Maryland.