November 29, 2010

Casey Butler, 18, bassoon student at Peabody Conservatory

Casey Butler, a first-year undergraduate in the Peabody Conservatory studying bassoon and music education, lost consciousness during her weekly bassoon lesson on Nov. 15 and was rushed to the emergency room at Mercy Medical Center. She could not be revived.

“In a small community such as ours, a loss such as this touches every individual. I know that everyone shares my shock and sadness,” said Pea- body Institute Director Jeffrey Sharkey. “Casey went to high school in Maryland, and our hearts go out to her parents, her other family members and her friends. We are grateful to her primary teacher, Phil Kolker, and to our campus security staff members, all of whom responded immediately.”

Butler, 18, was a graduate of Bel Air High School, where she was a member of the Honor Society, Spanish Honor Soci- ety and the band. She also played in the All-County Band and Orchestra, All-State Band, Harford Youth Orchestra, Maryland Youth Chamber Orchestra and Peabody Youth Orchestra, and was a 2009 Carson Scholar and 2010 Recognition Scholar.

In a joint statement to the Peabody community, Johns Hopkins President Ronald J. Dan- iels and Provost Lloyd Minor said, “Although Casey was just beginning her undergraduate education, she was already known to many at the conservatory for her kind- ness, joy and bright spirit. Pea- body faculty member Harlan Parker, who first met Casey when she was in high school and guided her through the Peabody Youth Orchestra and the Peabody Wind Ensemble, may have said it best: ‘She was wonderful and everyone who knew her loved her.’”

Butler was one of three bassoonists in the Peabody Wind Ensemble, which will dedicate its concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14, in her honor. It will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall.

Butler is survived by her parents, Michael Paul and Susan Moreland Butler; a brother, Clark Thomas Butler; and many other relatives.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 23 in Abingdon, Md., her hometown.