Boyd Jarrell

1949 - 2021

Boyd Jarrell
August 28, 1949-October 6, 2021
Noted Bay Area musician Boyd Jarrell died suddenly on October 6 of cardiac arrest.

A native of Huntington, WV, Boyd was the son of the late Boyd Jarrell, Sr. and Mary Katherine Estler Jarrell. He attended his hometown college and family alma mater, Marshall University, where he earned his BA and Master of Performing Arts degrees. This set the course for his long career in musical performance, primarily as a bass-baritone soloist and choral conductor.

After graduating, Boyd headed west to San Francisco, where he served as Cantor and Associate Choirmaster at Grace Cathedral for twenty-eight years. His final 17 years were spent at the College of Marin as the director of choral activities where he directed Marin Oratorio in major works of the Baroque and Classical repertoire. He also conducted the Chamber Singers and taught music history and theory.

Through it all, he performed as a soloist for numerous groups in the Bay Area and beyond and recorded on several labels.

His tremendous generosity – and humor - made him a dedicated and sought-after teacher, and he loved to share his knowledge and passion for music.

His other major passion was the outdoors, specifically the Sierra Nevada. He took every opportunity to pack up his Jeep and head for the mountains for snowshoeing, hiking, and backpacking trips. Having a dog or two along was not optional – it was mandatory. He was an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, and the Golden State Warriors.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 30 years, Linda Crawford Jarrell of San Francisco, herself an amateur musician. Family members include beloved sister Mary Lynne Jarrell Calhoun (Lawrence), Sandy Spring, MD; nieces Eliza Katherine Calhoun (Joe Keady), DC; Mary Laura Calhoun (Kevin Bogardus), DC; Grandniece, Isabel Katherine Bogardus; Grandnephew, Malcolm Gibson Bogardus. He had numerous well-loved cousins throughout the country. He was particularly close to cousins David and Michielle Jarrell of El Dorado Hills, CA.

A memorial service will be held in the spring.
Donations can be made out to M.C.C.D. with Marin Oratorio Fund in the memo section, and be sent to College of Marin Music Department, Attn: Joanna Pinckney, 835 College Ave., Kentfield, CA 94904.