Friday Musicale

Saluting Mrs. Rosa B. Smith

Mrs. Rosa B. Smith celebrated her 98th birthday in May, with a drive-by parade of well-wishers, neighbors, family, and friends. A member of Friday Musicale for over 40 years, Mrs. Smith served as President from 1989 through 1991, and was integral in launching many of the important traditions we enjoy today at our grand concert hall. Rosa brought a renewed touch of elegance to the pre-concert receptions with fine wine, heavy appetizers, and luscious desserts, all set in a classic Southern style. Her daughter Karen remarks: “Mother has always paid attention to details, created elegance, and had the ability to bring people together for a common cause.” Rosa assisted in the purchase of the second Steinway concert grand piano for our auditorium, making Friday Musicale the only musical organization to own two in the Northeast Florida area.

A Steinway representative visited to personally deliver the piano, and participated in the celebration. Rosa negotiated with property owners in the Riverside area to secure the land where our present day parking lot sits. She assembled a team to remove trash from the once empty lot, fence it in, and add signage as well. Rosa also served on the Event Committee, recruiting fine musicians from our city and beyond to perform. One notable performer Rosa remembers is Phillip Pan, a classical vionlinist and personal friend of the Smith family.

A native of Wilmington, NC, Rosa grew up surrounded by music. She remembers back in the 1930s the famous band that played “Orange Blossom Special” visited in her mother’s home. Rosa is a Pearl Harbor Survivor. At 19, she was stationed with her husband in the Coast Guard officers’ residence section of the base, preparing for Sunday School that morning. She heard the roar of the low flying airplanes, and looked out her window to see the Kamikaze squadron headed to the beach. After the terrible chaos, she headed mainland, to San Francisco traveling aboard a heavily armed Coast Guard Destroyer. And later that year returned to North Carolina for a brief time.

Rosa’s daughter, Karen, remembers coming to Friday Musicale as a young person, experiencing classical music and world renown musicians up close. Karen recalls Rosa helped to provide an evening gown for a young opera singer. Rosa also gave the singer a bouquet of flowers. Visiting with Rosa and Karen was a memorable experience. Did you know that Friday Musicale has official colors: white & gold, and an official flower, yellow jasmine? Our staff has kept alive many of the traditions Rosa and her previous Presidents endeavored to provide for the enjoyment of our audiences.

Thank you, Rosa, for your leadership!