Velma R. Simmons
Thursday, February 26, 2009
6pm | Verizon Hall
Performers will include student and faculty ensembles as well as guest soloists. Free and open to the public.
On January 26, 2009, Philadelphia lost an indomitable and irreplaceable member of its cultural community, Velma R. Simmons, Director of Education at the Kimmel Center. Ms. Simmons suffered a major aneurysm while making a presentation at the Perelman Theater on April 28, 2008 and never fully recovered. She was 65 years old.
Velma Simmons was a musician who mastered the piano, organ and clarinet during her lifetime of study. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music and a Master's Degree in Music Education from Temple University. She completed further studies in choral music, and choral conducting. She was, perhaps, better known as an outstanding music educator who believed that training and exposure to the cultural arts in our lives had the power to illuminate, change attitudes, behavior, and create a better society.
For the past six years as the Education Director at the Kimmel Center, Velma Simmons quickly won over an audience of colleagues, students, teachers, and volunteers who appreciated and admired her undeniable gifts, and indefatigable energy. She worked tirelessly to expose teachers, students, and others in the region to the Kimmel Center and its resident companies. It was often said by those with whom she worked that she had the rare combination of deep integrity of purpose and kindness.
Mervon Mehta, Vice President of Programming and Education at the Kimmel Center, echoed many of these thoughts as he remembered Velma. "It is impossible to know how many lives she enriched. I would venture to say that the number could include every student to whom she taught something new, every singer she coached to be more musical, every teacher she hired and from whom she then demanded greatness, every co-worker she pushed and prodded to reach her high standards. Velma was passionate about students—there would be no compromises where they were concerned. She was not to be trifled with. As we worked together for the past six years, everything she did or said, how she lived her life, solidified this impression. I have missed her."
Velma Simmons came to the Kimmel Center after a long tenure at the Philadelphia School District where she was responsible for the School District's music division. As a music teacher, she taught students at all grade levels and later held various administrative positions. During this time her reputation in the City of Philadelphia grew. Soon Ms. Simmons could be seen managing and directing the many City of Philadelphia and School District musical programs including the All-City School District Choir, as well as extra-curricular activities in the community such as directing the choruses of Opera Ebony, and participating in performances of Singing City. She was also active, as an alumna, with the Esther Boyer School of Music Alumna Board at Temple University and as a member of the Links Incorporated, Philadelphia Chapter.
Dr. Constance E. Clayton, Retired Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, remembers Velma Simmons in these words. "Velma's life reflected music as the universal language—one that crossed barriers of race, age, gender, and social class. Because Velma was a talented musician and educator who we all admired, it was a joy and learning experience to observe her unique teaching techniques. She used music to promote language development, coordination, creativity, and social skills as well as to cultivate a better understanding of one’s history and culture. Her keen and unflinching dedication to excellence will forever live in the hearts and minds of thousands who were privileged to work with and learn from her."
Dorothy Sumners Rush, former member and Vice President of the Philadelphia School District of Philadelphia also shared fond memories of Velma. Mrs. Rush remembers, "Velma had the unique gift of identifying students with exceptional vocal and instrumental talents. She promoted and encouraged so many young people as well as assisted teachers in their professional growth. It was Velma Simmons who recognized the magnificent tenor voice of Issachah Savage, a student at CAPA High School, (Philadelphia School District's Creative and Performing Arts High School). After encouraging his completion of undergraduate music education at Morgan State University and graduate studies at Catholic University, Issachah was selected as the first Marion Anderson Scholar. Most recently, Issachah Savage was chosen to appear at Carnegie Hall in March 2009, and Velma was there from the beginning."
Velma R. Simmons is survived by her husband, James Garnett, her mother Ouida Simmons, and Sisters, Vivian Clark, Vernell Ricks, Verná Evans, and a niece, Denise Clark.