Virginia Deupree Crumb

Virginia Deupree Crumb, born on Mercer Island to Carl Crumb and Jeanne Smoot Crumb, died of heart disease in Boston on August 28, 2013.

Virginia began harp studies at age 10 with Lynne Palmer, then went on to study with Alice Chalifoux and Ann Hobson Pilot. Virginia held undergraduate degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University, and masters degrees in both harp performance and musicology from New England Conservatory of Music. Virginia played principal harp in the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Victoria Symphony (Canada).

In addition to Hong Kong and Canada, she performed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and toured Europe with several ensembles. Virginia was a Tanglewood fellowship recipient and played at the Grand Teton Music Festival. Virginia performed regularly with New Hampshire Music Festival, Nashua Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Waltham Symphony Orchestra, and Alea III. In 1994, she was a featured performer at the American Harp Society’s National Convention. She made numerous recordings of contemporary music. Virginia was on the music faculties of New England Conservatory, Milton Academy, and Emmanuel College. She was the former president of the Boston Chapter of the American Harp Society.

Virginia is survived by her husband Robert Schwartz and her sister Martha Crumb.

A memorial service for Virginia will be held at 11 AM on Saturday November 23, 2013 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Mercer Island.