Orchestra to play at memorial service for Eugene Shepherd

A full orchestra, led by Cindy Weichel and Bob Williams, will perform at the memorial service for veteran violinist Eugene Shepherd at noon Saturday at Santa Rosa Bible Church.

Shepherd, an influential teacher and conductor, died Dec. 15 at Kaiser Hospital in Santa Rosa at 96 after suffering complications from surgery after a fall.

Shepherd served as concertmaster of the Santa Rosa Symphony for 33 years and founded what became the Santa Rosa Symphony’s Youth Orchestra. During 21 years of teaching instrumental music at Cook Junior High, he mentored many of the leading music teachers working in Sonoma County today, including Sonoma State University’s Director of Bands Andy Collingsworth.

A string quartet will perform at 11 a.m. for the visitation at the church, 4575 Badger Road.

The noon memorial service will feature classical and big band music performed by current musicians and alumni of the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Baroque Sinfonia and the Sonoma County Junior Symphony.

Two of Shepherd’s most successful students also will perform at his memorial service. Violinist Gary Pozzi, who played with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks and who changed his name to Sid Page, will play Henry Mancini’s “Two for the Road.” Violinist Anthony Martin, who performs with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in San Francisco, will perform with the orchestra assembled for the service.

The orchestral program will include Elgar’s “Elegy” for strings and the third movement of Brahms’ Third Symphony, plus a few big band tunes.

During his basic training in the Air Force, Shepherd was invited by bandleader Glenn Miller to join the Air Force show, “Winged Victory,” on Broadway.

The violinist later toured the country with the show and won a speaking role in the movie version.

In honor of Shepherd’s military service, bagpiper Martha Yates will play “Amazing Grace” and trumpeter Dan Norris will play “Taps” at the memorial service.

A reception will follow at the church.

Donations in Shepherd’s memory may be made to Lawrence Cook Middle School, 2480 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa, 95407, Attention: Jessica Santana.