Hello Everyone:
Some sad news to share for many of you. During my tenure, we’ve had 3 accompanists. Ellie Seib started with me in March of 1987 and accompanied BCAS for many years. She also was my accompanist at West Seneca West. Ellie passed away recently after suffering a massive stroke. She was transported to Mercy Hospital and survived for 10 days until her passing on February 4th. Ellie would have been 72 on February 20th. Services will be held in the spring at Westminster Presbyterian Church where she was organist for many years.
One of my favorite memories of Ellie took place a number of years ago at a Valentines Concert BCAS performed at Slee Concert Hall at UB. I had been to dinner at Ellie’s home and after a few ‘adult drinks’ she told me she used to play the clarinet. I admitted that I had been a violinist throughout Elementary, Jr. High and Sr High School. She just happened to have an old clarinet and violin in her upstairs, brought them down and the two of us made lovely music together as she squawked and tooted and I scratched my way through some old songs, laughing, snorting and doubliing over all the way. The upshot of that evening was that I talked her into playing MY FUNNY VALENTINE in concert with me as a Clarinet, Violin duet at Slee. Nancy Seel accompanied us. Can you picture this. There was not one note that was recognizable. I played the Jack Benny role, she, Benny Goodman. I still to this day have NO idea how Nancy kept going. My recollection, because I can’t face the truth, is that the audience loved it. It just goes to prove that one must always laugh at oneself to stay humble.
Rest in Peace Ellie. A wonderful WNY musician gone too soon!
M