Eschleman, Jeffrey

NAME: Jeffrey Eschleman

[Inquirer and Daily News' obituaries are here.]

Biography: A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Temple University with a M. Mus. in Piano Performance (and valetudinarian of his class) Jeffrey Eschleman was a student of Natalie Hinderas. His subsequent career included national acclaim as an accompanist and vocal coach, and a growing reputation as a conductor. He was a faculty member first at the Academy of Vocal Arts, and then served as the director of the Opera Department at the University of the Arts. He was in particular demand as accompanist, and prepared famed soprano Benita Valente for performances of Pelleas and Melisande with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He also served as Assistant Conductor for Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia.

At the time of his death, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "An estimated 200 friends, colleagues and students of Jeffrey Eschleman gathered at Haviland Hall of the University of the Arts yesterday afternoon to remember the 37-year-old pianist, vocal coach and conductor, who died Sunday after a three-week battle with pneumonia." Due to a 'policy' in place at the time, it also gratuitously added that "He had AIDS, according to his friend and former classmate at Temple University, composer Harrison Boyle." The family had requested only that pneumocystis carinii be listed as the cause of death, knowing it would be understood in the gay community without making life difficult for elderly family members in more rural locations. As the above named colleague began receiving hate calls, the Inquirer, after much urging, changed it's 'policy' and sent an unpublished apologia to the composer. (The damage was done, however, and Boyle's career never recovered.)

Jeffrey Eschleman had premiered many compositions by Philadelphia composers during his career, and a work for chorus and orchestra "Tombsongs" by Margaret Garwood, was commissioned in his memory.

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Date of Birth:

Date of Death (delete if non-applicable): 12/23/1990

Age at Death (delete if non-applicable): 37

Employment:

Pianist, vocal coach, conductor

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