Carolyn
(King) Shirn, born on December 9th, 1946, in Baltimore, MD, died on October
13th, 1999, In San Antonio, TX. She
leaves her husband, John Shirn, from Williamsport, PA, age 76,her brother,
Bernard King, age 43, currently of San Francisco, CA, and grandparents Hanson
& Doris Robinson of Baltimore, MD.
Mrs.
Shirn was a professional musician with a Master of Music degree from the Indiana
University Graduate school of Music.
Her specialty was
singing
oratorios as a soprano, and teaching both voice, piano,
and
other
instruments. She was the first vocal student to win a
Performer's
Certificate,
an honor previously granted only to the top 2% of
instrumental
students. Her voice was considered a musical instrument
and
is
stored on tape in the Music Library for students to study.
Mrs.
Shirn was a paid professional soloist for most of the
major
churches
and synagogues in Sarasota, FL, as well as the opera and
concert
halls
there while she lived in Bradenton FL. She was the soprano
soloist
with
the Gloria Musicae and the Key Chorales which was at times
accompanied
by the Venice Symphony Orchestra; and the Florida Friends
of
Early
Music. She taught music at St. Joseph's High School, Booker
High
School
for the Performing Arts, and the Manatee Community
College.
She
came to San Antonio in 1988 and taught music at the Highland
Park
Elementary
School full time, and voice part time at St. Phillips
College.
She also sang for the Bach Choir for about a year.
Mrs.
Shirn was a member of the Eisenhauer Rd. Church of God
(Seventh-Day)
where she played piano, taught music, was the Children's
Coordinator
for a few years and was recently appointed to the Board of
Directors
and she mentored female newcomers.
"The
Closing Song"
She
used her gift to fill a cause,
And
honored God with song.
A
voice that made the angels pause,
To
listen all day long.
Her
music seemed to fill her life,
Defining
who she was.
It
gave us all a certain pride,
For
she was a part of us.
She
lived her life with urgency,
She
did so many things.
She
tried to fill so many needs,
That
life would always bring.
So
active in her ministries,
She
did more than her part.
In
all she did, she tried to please,
And
gave with all her heart.
Her
service - such a legacy,
Now
leaves a hollow space.
With
sadness we now see her leave,
No
one will take her place.
The
race she ran was not in vain,
Salvation
she's now won!
Someday
we'll see her face again,
God
soon will send his Son!
Joe
J. Corrales
-
In Carolyn Shirn's Memory
