Robert Leland Scandrett

Robert Leland Scandrett December 29, 1995 - November 30 2014 We have lost Robert Leland Scandrett. He died suddenly, in his Seattle home, of heart failure. Bob was born in 1925, into a loving family in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He grew up as a musician, an accomplished pianist in his childhood and youth, then turning to choral conducting professionally. Bob married Sandra Rotton Scandrett in 1966 and they loved each other through many choirs, troves of music students, and a wealth of beautiful friendships for all the years until his death. Bob leaves behind a rich legacy for love, community, and music. Robert Scandrett was beloved by the singers and other musicians who he directed. He was generous and humble as a musician, drawing the best from his performers. He received his bachelor's degree from Seattle Pacific University and earned his Masters and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. As a professor at Western Washington University, his teaching and mentorship enriched the lives and influenced the careers of numerous young singers and conductors. Bob conducted choirs throughout the Pacific Northwest, including long tenures at the Seattle Symphony Chorale...[more]

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d the choirs of Western Washington University, University Presbyterian Church (Seattle), Seattle Pacific University, and University Congregational United Church of Christ (Seattle). As a composer, arranger, and translator, Bob served the choral canon through his collaboration with music publishers as well as providing his own arrangements and compositions to choirs under his direction. Bob was a loving man. His interest and concern for those around him led to warm and lasting friendships. And Bob was a man of wide ranging passions. A world traveler, a keen reader, and a patron of many arts, he brought curiosity, wealth, and a generous spirit to everyone whose life he touched. He was a questing being with a lively intellect and a taste for shared conversation. He enjoyed his friends deeply and his pleasure in them was a gift. After retiring from directing, Bob invigorated himself by returning to his old study of the piano. He spent several hours each day at the keyboard. He had invested years in Bach's Goldberg Variations, and reported that he experienced the music as nourishing him. Just before his death, Bob had become satisfied with his level of accomplishment playing the Goldberg Variations. The music of Schubert was sounding inviting him. He was ready to move on to the next challenge. Musical Memorial The life of Robert Scandrett will be celebrated through music he loved, a performance of the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré. The celebration is scheduled for Sunday, 22 February, at 3 PM at the University Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 4515 16th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105. A reception will follow the celebration. Memorial Donations Please make memorial donations to Opus 7, in support of the fund for the Opus & Annual Student Composer Awards.