Stu Fraser:
Telluride Choral Society’s Ace of Spades
Stu Fraser, long-time Telluride Choral Society bassist, former Board President, and all-around champion of our organization, passed away June 20th, 2022.
After the economic downturn and resulting uncertainties for the arts caused by the September 11th attacks, Stu’s exhortation to us was to “Keep on Singing” (the mantra for the Choral Society he coined) in order to deal with the trauma, and resume our normal lives of performing. He also guided the Choral Society through its important transition from founding Artistic Director, John Yankee, to Dr. David Lingle. His helmsmanship kept us going through a few choppy and challenging seas.
A Former Hallmark executive and Founder and C.E.O. of the Fraser Collection, Stu and his wife Ginny’s move to Telluride got him involved in public service. He served on the Telluride Town Council and served as Telluride’s Mayor. He was instrumental in preserving the Valley Floor in perpetuity as open space, and created an amazing legacy of Town of Telluride affordable housing stock for local families.
As former Telluride Town Manager, Greg Clifton put it for the Daily Planet, “What an inspiring person … what an amazing leader. Stu was the master of positivity. His forever-smile and boundless passion was immediately felt every time he entered Rebekah Hall. He absolutely loved serving the Telluride community, and I loved serving under his leadership. We were all enriched by his very presence.”
Singing in the Telluride Choral Society almost 30 years, and going from zero singing experience to a very capable singer and integral part of the ensemble, Stu commented several years ago:
“Learning to sing in a group caused me to understand the dynamics of putting myself forward as a member of a team and the value of being a team performer: each voice is important, but no one voice is more important than the unified sound of the entire group”
We, the Telluride Choral Society, will truly miss this one voice this coming season and for years to come. A Celebration of Life will take place Sept. 24 in Telluride Town Park, details are pending. It is Ginny’s and the Fraser family’s wish that any tributes in Stu’s name be made to Telluride Choral Society at the Donation Tab below. We will endeavor to keep on singing in Stu’s exuberant spirit.
TO DONATE TO THE TELLURIDE CHORAL SOCIETY IN TRIBUTE OF STU FRASER:-
Your contributions and gifts make us able to bring community choral singing to the Telluride region. Please indicate on the Donation Page that your donation here is in reference to Stu . . .
Click the link below:
