Evelyn Thomas
Evelyn McLeod Thomas, 82, respected musician and beloved teacher, passed away Dec. 27, 2007.
Her gifts were far more than musical. Under the guise of teaching music, she also became a therapist, a confidant, and a personal coach for each of her students. Her choral experiences were unmatched.
She was a member of the original Robert Shaw Collegiate Choral at The Juilliard School in New York and, therefore, part of the many premieres that Shaw commissioned.
She was often heard to say, "I knew Robert Shaw before he was 'Robert Shaw,' when he was quite a scoundrel."
A native of Mars Hill, N.C., Evelyn lived in Bristol since 1949. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, completed graduate courses at Juilliard and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and received a Master of Music degree from Eastman School of Music. She taught music and English at Mars Hill College, Mary Hardin Baylor College, Carson Newman College, Sullins College, Milligan College and most recently at King College.
She was a member of the Bristol Concert Choir, Bristol Music Club, Emmanuel Episcopal Church Choir, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and an honorary member of the music fraternity Pi Kappa Lambda.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Bristol Music Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Nancy Cook, 1810 King College Road, Bristol, Tenn. 37620.
