Merced Sun Star
Merced, California
June 25, 2008
Neville Rae Barnett (1928 - 2008)
Neville Rae Barnett passed away Saturday, June 21st after struggling the last eight years with Alzheimer's.
Neville Barnett's life was centered on her love of music, family and travel. She was an exceptional pianist, accompanist, college music instructor and private piano teacher. Her greatest joy was giving the gift of music to her numerous pupils here. She was a remarkable woman and an inspiration to her many friends and family.
A fourth generation Californian, she was born in Coalinga, CA in 1928 to Ralph and Norma Gilbert. At an early age she took up the study of piano with Agnes DeJahn. Many attributed her impeccable technique and mastery of form to this tutelage and lineage that came directly from Beethoven to Czerny, to Leschetizky, to DeJahn. With extreme pride, her numerous national award-winning pupils would say they were sixth generation students of Beethoven.
A graduate of University of Pacific, Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA, she was affiliated with numerous college and professional music organizations, often serving in roles of leadership - Mu Phi Epsilon (National Honorary Music Society); Phi Kappa Phi, (National Academic Honor Society).
After studying music at University of Pacific, she married her life long companion, Charles A. Barnett upon his return from the Navy and the war in 1948. Charles worked for Pacific Telephone and Nev for Pressey Insurance. In 1956 when the Barnetts moved to Merced, CA.
Her musical involvement continued here including: Merced Women's Symphony League (President -1966); Merced Symphony Pianist 1964-1972, Soloist in 1968 & 1978; Merced Symphony Association Board of Directors; Community Concert Association (President-1969); Ensemble Pacifica - Chamber Music Pianist 1963-1988. At Merced College she enjoyed her time as pianist and accompanist for numerous opera workshops, musical stage productions, Concert Choir & the Madrigal Singers. She started the Piano Program and taught Music Theory at Merced College from 1972 to 1981. Always teaching private lessons, in 1978 she started group lessons for children of all ages with a Yamaha Music School in her home. Many of her students achieved top honors when they competed yearly in Piano Adjudications for the National Guild of Piano Teachers (Chairperson 1981-1995). Under Merced County Regional Art Council Neville participated in Art-Tree Music Education Workshops from1981-1994, bringing Ensemble Pacifica to dozens of schools throughout the county.
Her other great love was travel. She participated in fourteen various International Music Workshops throughout the world each summer. Family or friends would often join her to study both music and art or to enjoy a good adventure. Over the years she met and came to know many famous international musicians and music educators. Neville truly loved the culture of San Francisco, and enjoyed many evenings at the S.F. Symphony, ACT, or the ballet.
Family that preceded her in death are her parents, Ralph and Norma Gilbert. Family who survived her include her loving husband of 60 years, her daughter of Merced, and her son of San Leandro, CA. May her spirit and soul live in our memories forever, and may her physical body now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the "Barnett Family Music Scholarship" through the Merced College Foundation, 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95340. An informal intimate gathering has been planned at Stratford Evans Funeral Home on Monday, June 30th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm to sign remembrances and listen to some beautiful music. A brief tribute will be read at 5:30. Our out of town friends can write remembrances online at www.___.com, lifestyle, obituary, view /guest book.
A family burial service will take place out of town on July 1st.
Merced, California
June 25, 2008
Neville Rae Barnett (1928 - 2008)
Neville Rae Barnett passed away Saturday, June 21st after struggling the last eight years with Alzheimer's.
Neville Barnett's life was centered on her love of music, family and travel. She was an exceptional pianist, accompanist, college music instructor and private piano teacher. Her greatest joy was giving the gift of music to her numerous pupils here. She was a remarkable woman and an inspiration to her many friends and family.
A fourth generation Californian, she was born in Coalinga, CA in 1928 to Ralph and Norma Gilbert. At an early age she took up the study of piano with Agnes DeJahn. Many attributed her impeccable technique and mastery of form to this tutelage and lineage that came directly from Beethoven to Czerny, to Leschetizky, to DeJahn. With extreme pride, her numerous national award-winning pupils would say they were sixth generation students of Beethoven.
A graduate of University of Pacific, Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA, she was affiliated with numerous college and professional music organizations, often serving in roles of leadership - Mu Phi Epsilon (National Honorary Music Society); Phi Kappa Phi, (National Academic Honor Society).
After studying music at University of Pacific, she married her life long companion, Charles A. Barnett upon his return from the Navy and the war in 1948. Charles worked for Pacific Telephone and Nev for Pressey Insurance. In 1956 when the Barnetts moved to Merced, CA.
Her musical involvement continued here including: Merced Women's Symphony League (President -1966); Merced Symphony Pianist 1964-1972, Soloist in 1968 & 1978; Merced Symphony Association Board of Directors; Community Concert Association (President-1969); Ensemble Pacifica - Chamber Music Pianist 1963-1988. At Merced College she enjoyed her time as pianist and accompanist for numerous opera workshops, musical stage productions, Concert Choir & the Madrigal Singers. She started the Piano Program and taught Music Theory at Merced College from 1972 to 1981. Always teaching private lessons, in 1978 she started group lessons for children of all ages with a Yamaha Music School in her home. Many of her students achieved top honors when they competed yearly in Piano Adjudications for the National Guild of Piano Teachers (Chairperson 1981-1995). Under Merced County Regional Art Council Neville participated in Art-Tree Music Education Workshops from1981-1994, bringing Ensemble Pacifica to dozens of schools throughout the county.
Her other great love was travel. She participated in fourteen various International Music Workshops throughout the world each summer. Family or friends would often join her to study both music and art or to enjoy a good adventure. Over the years she met and came to know many famous international musicians and music educators. Neville truly loved the culture of San Francisco, and enjoyed many evenings at the S.F. Symphony, ACT, or the ballet.
Family that preceded her in death are her parents, Ralph and Norma Gilbert. Family who survived her include her loving husband of 60 years, her daughter of Merced, and her son of San Leandro, CA. May her spirit and soul live in our memories forever, and may her physical body now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the "Barnett Family Music Scholarship" through the Merced College Foundation, 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95340. An informal intimate gathering has been planned at Stratford Evans Funeral Home on Monday, June 30th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm to sign remembrances and listen to some beautiful music. A brief tribute will be read at 5:30. Our out of town friends can write remembrances online at www.___.com, lifestyle, obituary, view /guest book.
A family burial service will take place out of town on July 1st.
Merced Sun Star
Merced, California
June 25, 2008
Neville Rae Barnett (1928 - 2008)
Neville Rae Barnett passed away Saturday, June 21st after struggling the last eight years with Alzheimer's.
Neville Barnett's life was centered on her love of music, family and travel. She was an exceptional pianist, accompanist, college music instructor and private piano teacher. Her greatest joy was giving the gift of music to her numerous pupils here. She was a remarkable woman and an inspiration to her many friends and family.
A fourth generation Californian, she was born in Coalinga, CA in 1928 to Ralph and Norma Gilbert. At an early age she took up the study of piano with Agnes DeJahn. Many attributed her impeccable technique and mastery of form to this tutelage and lineage that came directly from Beethoven to Czerny, to Leschetizky, to DeJahn. With extreme pride, her numerous national award-winning pupils would say they were sixth generation students of Beethoven.
A graduate of University of Pacific, Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA, she was affiliated with numerous college and professional music organizations, often serving in roles of leadership - Mu Phi Epsilon (National Honorary Music Society); Phi Kappa Phi, (National Academic Honor Society).
After studying music at University of Pacific, she married her life long companion, Charles A. Barnett upon his return from the Navy and the war in 1948. Charles worked for Pacific Telephone and Nev for Pressey Insurance. In 1956 when the Barnetts moved to Merced, CA.
Her musical involvement continued here including: Merced Women's Symphony League (President -1966); Merced Symphony Pianist 1964-1972, Soloist in 1968 & 1978; Merced Symphony Association Board of Directors; Community Concert Association (President-1969); Ensemble Pacifica - Chamber Music Pianist 1963-1988. At Merced College she enjoyed her time as pianist and accompanist for numerous opera workshops, musical stage productions, Concert Choir & the Madrigal Singers. She started the Piano Program and taught Music Theory at Merced College from 1972 to 1981. Always teaching private lessons, in 1978 she started group lessons for children of all ages with a Yamaha Music School in her home. Many of her students achieved top honors when they competed yearly in Piano Adjudications for the National Guild of Piano Teachers (Chairperson 1981-1995). Under Merced County Regional Art Council Neville participated in Art-Tree Music Education Workshops from1981-1994, bringing Ensemble Pacifica to dozens of schools throughout the county.
Her other great love was travel. She participated in fourteen various International Music Workshops throughout the world each summer. Family or friends would often join her to study both music and art or to enjoy a good adventure. Over the years she met and came to know many famous international musicians and music educators. Neville truly loved the culture of San Francisco, and enjoyed many evenings at the S.F. Symphony, ACT, or the ballet.
Family that preceded her in death are her parents, Ralph and Norma Gilbert. Family who survived her include her loving husband of 60 years, her daughter of Merced, and her son of San Leandro, CA. May her spirit and soul live in our memories forever, and may her physical body now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the "Barnett Family Music Scholarship" through the Merced College Foundation, 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95340. An informal intimate gathering has been planned at Stratford Evans Funeral Home on Monday, June 30th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm to sign remembrances and listen to some beautiful music. A brief tribute will be read at 5:30. Our out of town friends can write remembrances online at www.___.com, lifestyle, obituary, view /guest book.
A family burial service will take place out of town on July 1st.
Merced, California
June 25, 2008
Neville Rae Barnett (1928 - 2008)
Neville Rae Barnett passed away Saturday, June 21st after struggling the last eight years with Alzheimer's.
Neville Barnett's life was centered on her love of music, family and travel. She was an exceptional pianist, accompanist, college music instructor and private piano teacher. Her greatest joy was giving the gift of music to her numerous pupils here. She was a remarkable woman and an inspiration to her many friends and family.
A fourth generation Californian, she was born in Coalinga, CA in 1928 to Ralph and Norma Gilbert. At an early age she took up the study of piano with Agnes DeJahn. Many attributed her impeccable technique and mastery of form to this tutelage and lineage that came directly from Beethoven to Czerny, to Leschetizky, to DeJahn. With extreme pride, her numerous national award-winning pupils would say they were sixth generation students of Beethoven.
A graduate of University of Pacific, Conservatory of Music in Stockton, CA, she was affiliated with numerous college and professional music organizations, often serving in roles of leadership - Mu Phi Epsilon (National Honorary Music Society); Phi Kappa Phi, (National Academic Honor Society).
After studying music at University of Pacific, she married her life long companion, Charles A. Barnett upon his return from the Navy and the war in 1948. Charles worked for Pacific Telephone and Nev for Pressey Insurance. In 1956 when the Barnetts moved to Merced, CA.
Her musical involvement continued here including: Merced Women's Symphony League (President -1966); Merced Symphony Pianist 1964-1972, Soloist in 1968 & 1978; Merced Symphony Association Board of Directors; Community Concert Association (President-1969); Ensemble Pacifica - Chamber Music Pianist 1963-1988. At Merced College she enjoyed her time as pianist and accompanist for numerous opera workshops, musical stage productions, Concert Choir & the Madrigal Singers. She started the Piano Program and taught Music Theory at Merced College from 1972 to 1981. Always teaching private lessons, in 1978 she started group lessons for children of all ages with a Yamaha Music School in her home. Many of her students achieved top honors when they competed yearly in Piano Adjudications for the National Guild of Piano Teachers (Chairperson 1981-1995). Under Merced County Regional Art Council Neville participated in Art-Tree Music Education Workshops from1981-1994, bringing Ensemble Pacifica to dozens of schools throughout the county.
Her other great love was travel. She participated in fourteen various International Music Workshops throughout the world each summer. Family or friends would often join her to study both music and art or to enjoy a good adventure. Over the years she met and came to know many famous international musicians and music educators. Neville truly loved the culture of San Francisco, and enjoyed many evenings at the S.F. Symphony, ACT, or the ballet.
Family that preceded her in death are her parents, Ralph and Norma Gilbert. Family who survived her include her loving husband of 60 years, her daughter of Merced, and her son of San Leandro, CA. May her spirit and soul live in our memories forever, and may her physical body now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the "Barnett Family Music Scholarship" through the Merced College Foundation, 3600 M St, Merced, CA 95340. An informal intimate gathering has been planned at Stratford Evans Funeral Home on Monday, June 30th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm to sign remembrances and listen to some beautiful music. A brief tribute will be read at 5:30. Our out of town friends can write remembrances online at www.___.com, lifestyle, obituary, view /guest book.
A family burial service will take place out of town on July 1st.
Bio by: Old History Buff II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
