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BORN
1924
DIED
2020
Lois Schaefer Obituary
Ms. Schaefer, born in Yakima, grew up away from the musical hotbeds of the time and struck out on her own to study with the principal flutist of the BSO, Georges Laurent, at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
Upon graduation, and with her obvious musical genius, she quickly established her reputation as assistant principal flutist for the Chicago Symphony and then with the New York City Opera Orchestra as principal.
In 1965, she returned to Boston after landing her dream job as the piccolo player for the BSO, where she remained until retiring in 1990.
In addition to playing two instruments, she also taught extensively at the New England Conservatory of Music. Her students and fans were mesmerized by her style, which demonstrated the difference between "brilliance and glare; her playing had sparkle given off by a well-cut precious stone."
Ms. Schaefer was best-known to the general public through her frequent appearances on National Public Television with the Boston Pops, where she led the piccolo obbligato in "The Stars and Stripes Forever" more than 2000 times. Just before retiring, Schaefer gave a rousing solo performance with the Boston Pops of The Concerto Piccolo, a recent work composed especially for her by Daniel Pinkham.
Ms. Schaefer continued her service as a Board Member of the National Flute Association and was awarded the second-ever Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.
During her retirement Lois toured Africa, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands to name a few. Hiking, at Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, was her passion. She also perfected her gardening skills, producing the finest fresh summer vegetables in the entire State of Washington.
Lois Elizabeth Schaefer was born March 10, 1924, the daughter of Charles Frederick Schaefer and Mary Elizabeth Wherry.
She is survived by her sister, Winifred Mayes, who was a cellist with the BSO from 1954 until 1964; nephew, Nicholas Winograd; and dozens of grateful beneficiaries of her piccolo and flute tutorship.
Gifts in her honor may be made to the Boston Symphony Orchestra or Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lois Schaefer
3 Entries
Wendy Vignaux
February 13, 2020
I not only had the great pleasure of being a student of Lois Schaefer, but also had the opportunity to care for her beloved cat, Vivaldi. I have such fond memories of spirited lessons with Lois, cuddling up with Vivaldi, as well as plucking the Japanese Beetles off of her beautiful rose bushes. She was a wonderful woman who taught me so much, not just how to play the flute, but how to care for African violets, roses, and orchids. She instilled in me a great love of music and also sparked in me a life long love of gardening. It was an honor to be a small part of her life. I am so lucky to have known her.
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Steven Su
February 10, 2020
In memory of my dear teacher Lois Schaefer
Elizabeth Watson
February 10, 2020
Ms. Schaefer was my flute teacher at the New England Conservatory from 1971 to 1975. She demanded that her students work hard and take their studies seriously, yet she was kind and encouraging. She also had a lovely, dry sense of humor, and a warm relationship with one of our greatest flute professors, James Pappoutsakis. She once told me the story of her cat, who would place a cracker on the grass in the yard, then back off to wait for a bird to come for it. Rest in peace, dear teacher.
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