Gerhardt Zimmermann

Had the great joy of singing Brahms' German Requiem in 1998. Maestro Zimmerman will always live in our hearts and minds! His fortitude and joy remains contagious. We thank his family for sharing his life with us.

Bob Gerber

Thank you for your service. Mom made 50 years in the North Carolina symphony. Her and dad did love you.

I will always remember my years in Canton Symphony with Gerhardt; And how thrilled I was to be able to perform with him again as a member of the North Carolina Symphony. May his memory be a blessing.

For 18 years, as a member of the chorus, I had the privilege to watch Maestro Zimmermann conduct. Not as the audience did, seeing his arms and shoulders moving, but seeing his intensity and devotion to the music while, of course, watching his baton. The nuance of his complete control of the piece came watching especially his eyebrows, and his fingertips. Sometimes his eyes glared at the chorus or a section of the orchestra insisting on better. Sometimes he took a deep breath when the piece was coming to the climax and complete unity was expected (and almost always achieved). Sometimes, if the music allowed, and the performance was going particularly well, there was a smile, not just from his lips, but his whole body which relaxed and danced. On rare occasions, as the maestro exited the podium, he would blow a kiss to the chorus, and we all smiled. After a performance of Beethoven's Ninth an audience member told me it was fantastic, but we should have done an encore. An encore? - I was speechless. There will be more special performances of the orchestra and chorus, but for many on the stage, watching the conductor will involve two batons - the actual conductor's and that of Maestro Zimmermann's in their minds and heart.

Though I didn´t know him personally, I had the privilege of being an audience member multiple times when he was conductor of the UT Symphony Orchestra. I loved his enthusiasm for the music & his students. My condolences to his family.

To the Zimmerman family, friends, and music lovers: It was my honor to have met him at different events, especially when he spoke, at the Timken Company many years ago, about his passion for music and how it connects with work and daily activities. My fondest memories are when he directed the Canton Symphony Orchestra at the 4th of July concerts in front of the McKinley Monument. We have lost a treasure and will miss him.

What a great loss, an overcomer, an achiever! an outgo He was in my trumpet section in HS and a friend in college. He was a rare talent who comes along despite adversity and excels. I loved the guy, The buzz cut and black glasses hid his happy nature but he had many friends! May his memory stand out among his peers!

He was Canton´s all time best conductor. Providing us with outstanding concerts for over 40 years. Gerhardt Zimmerman, you will truly be missed. May the heavens sound there trumpet for you, may your music never end. My deepest sympathy to your family. A fan of all times.

I've been thinking of all the great musical experiences I had playing for Gerhardt, but standing out is that first time Gerhardt conducted our orchestra. The program was quite varied: The Italian Girl in Algiers, Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony. It was like finding a beautiful oasis after crossing a desert. The music making he inspired in us was astonishing. We were parched, because we'd had 2 years of upheaval and frustration. Gerhardt brought us to such a musical high. I remember the buzz backstage: "lots of smiles and OMG isn't this great?" It was just so special. Couldn't wait for more to come! He will surely be missed, but his inspiration lives on in everyone he touched!

Gerhardt was an amazing person, conductor, and musician. To this day playing in the Canton Symphony and Breckenridge Music Institute were my favorite jobs. It didn´t matter what was going on in my life, as soon as I got to rehearsal with Gerhardt all my troubles disappeared and I had fun! I´m so thankful for those experiences. He will be greatly missed.

Gerhardt (and pup) always made my day brighter at the Butler School of Music.
I am so sorry for your loss, may his memory be a blessing!!

We loved watching him take the dog for a walk.
Love Carl and Carolyn Koch

Goodbye to a real friend and mentor who taught me so much about music and increased my enjoyment. I should mention that he showed me that the best seat in the house was the conductor's podium.

I so vividly remember a story did with Gerhardt for my show WRAL-TV about his love of trains and his very special collection. What a very special soul.

A great friend and an absolutely superb conductor. The twenty years that he led the Breckenridge music Festival Orchestra made life in Summit County a much better experience. We are honored to have called him a griend.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the messages coming our way for Dad. Here is a direct link to the Canton Symphony page where you can donate designating it is in memorandum of Gerhardt: https://cantonsymphony.org/support/