Timothy M. Vernon

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Timothy M. Vernon, 60, of New York City and Briarcliff Manor died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, after a brief illness. Born in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Feb. 5, 1945, Mr. Vernon spent his adulthood in New York but was a worldwide traveler and advocate for peace and justice. He was an accomplished musician, composer, conductor, professor and scholar, as well as music director of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopal) in Chappaqua for the past 15 years, and director of the Choral Arts Society of Westchester since 1991. Mr. Vernon devoted his life to the Episcopal Church and liturgical studies, as well as teaching children and adults to love music and excel in piano and voice. His life impacted not only his students. Anyone he met remembers him for his kindness and care for his family and many friends throughout the world. His devotion to the arts and human rights will always be remembered by those who loved him. He sought horizons musically, spiritually and geographically; his spirit uplifted others wherever he went; his optimism and laugh were contagious; his love of music opened new worlds to generations of pupils, to entire communities, to countless choirs. Whether dealing with an individual or an organization, he had an uncanny ability to address the most urgent need, and had boundless generosity. He befriended every person - old, young and younger, oldest - with true concern and with such great warmth with his hospitality of spirit and sharing with others his love of different cuisines. He was proud of his 2002 pilgrimage and bicycle ride across Spain for 13 days for the 848K to Santiago, raising funds for a human-rights youth organization, and of his 60th birthday celebration, where he brought his friends and family from all over the world to share his special day. Mr. Vernon began piano lessons at the age of 4. He was the Junior Pianist for the N.C. Symphony, and attended the N.C. Governor's School. He made his conducting debut at 18 with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra, in which he was also a soloist. He has conducted the Yale Philharmonic and has been musical director of opera productions in Buffalo; at the Aspen Music Festival; in New York City and at State University of New York at Purchase, where he was music director of the opera program as a faculty member at Purchase College. He has toured extensively as a pianist and conductor, working throughout Canada, Europe, South America and the United States, in particular the Blossom Music Festivals in the U.S. He has appeared in concert as a harpsichordist in Amsterdam and recorded for broadcasts throughout Europe on Netherlands Radio, and more recently in concerts in London and Berlin. In April 1997, he played the premiere of a new sonata for violoncello and piano by Croton-on-Hudson composer Louis Pelosi in concert at Merkin Hall at Lincoln Center. Mr. Vernon received his undergraduate degrees in music from Columbia University and Juilliard School of Music and graduate degrees in musicology and conducting from SUNY/Buffalo and the Yale School of Music. He began his work in the Episcopal Church at St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo, where he was interim choirmaster/organist and later assistant to Frederick Burgomaster. He has also served parishes in Millbrook, Pleasantville, New York City, New Jersey and San Francisco, as well as the Episcopal Church at Yale, and led a series of workshops on liturgy and music for then-Archdeacon Sisk in Westchester. He has served on the faculties of Bennett College, Aspen Music School and Festival and the School of Visual Arts in New York. Mr. Vernon is also on the board of the Westchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and taught private lessons in Manhattan and at Briarcliff Manor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson V. Vernon and Sarah Rivers Vernon (longtime advocate for children and older adults) of Winston-Salem, and is survived by his brother, John Vernon and wife Jode; sister, Carolyn Carter of Winston-Salem; aunts Iris Eckes of Lewisville, N.C., and Elizabeth Goodwin of Richardson, Texas, and Esther Hedgecock, Roberta Franklin and Doris Ward; nieces and nephews Joshua, Sarah, Justin Vernon, Steve Carter and Cheryl Brooks and husband Phil, all of Winston-Salem; special cousin Lynn Rivers Johnson and husband Paul of High Point, N.C.; other cousins; and great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as a devoted friend, Nan Holbrook Griswold. The family would like to thank the Rev. Joel Mason, Tim's priest, for his abiding love and friendship for Tim and his family and friends. A celebration of Mr. Vernon's life will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at the parish hall of St. Mary the Virgin (Episcopal). A requiem Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church in Mount Kisco. Memorials may be made to the Organ Fund at St. Mary the Virgin, 191 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua, NY 10514, where the Vestry has passed a resolution that the new organ will be dedicated to the memory of Mr. Vernon; or to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C., 3655 Reed St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107. Tributes may be made to www.smtv.org