Carolyn Utz

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Carolyn Glover Utz (1913 – March 9, 2005) was an American musician, conductor and educator. She was a bass player for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for 30 years and was the first black member of the orchestra's predecessor, the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra.

Biography[]

Utz grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ohio State University (OSU).[1] She taught at several colleges after graduating from OSU, including at North Carolina State College, Kentucky State College, and Edward Waters College.[1]

In 1944, Utz was a candidate for the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra.[2] She auditioned with Izler Solomon, who was looking to hire black musicians.[1] Utz, on bass, became the first African-American member of the orchestra and was, at the time, the only black person working for an orchestra of its size in the country.[3][4] Utz performed with the orchestra, which later became the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for 30 years.[5] From 1974 to 1991, she was the conductor of the .[5]

Utz was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.[2] She was inducted into the Chillicothe chapter of the Top Ladies of Distinction in 1984.[6] In 1988, she was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.[7] She was inducted into the in 1996.[5]

Utz died on March 9, 2005, at the age of 91.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Violinist in Fourth Year With Columbus Philharmonic". The Ohio State News. November 15, 1947. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Breaks Bans To Ohio Symphony". Jackson Advocate. November 4, 1944. p. 5. ISSN 0047-1704. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  3. ^ "East Side Music Lovers to Raise Funds for Orchestra". The Ohio State News. February 23, 1946. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  4. ^ "Let's Give and Take". The Ohio State News. February 21, 1948. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Carolyn G. Utz". Ohio Women's Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "Reception is Held for Four Inductees". Chillicothe Gazette. September 21, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Celeste Names Women to Ohio's Hall of Fame". The Times Recorder. March 14, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Carolyn Glover Utz". Legacy.com. Retrieved December 28, 2019.

External links[]

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