By Dan Hust
NARROWSBURG — September 10, 2010 — To be sure, Gloria Krause was known for her love of music.
The Narrowsburg resident spent her working life as a public school music teacher, then founded and oversaw the Delaware Valley Opera in her retirement.
But Krause is perhaps just as well known for her fierce commitment to whatever she set her mind, music or otherwise.
Indeed, that is how she was remembered this week, following her death on Monday at the age of 87.
“She was very dedicated to the library,” recalled Susan Scott, the director of the Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL). “She always gave of her time.”
Krause was one of the founding members of WSPL, having come to the board from her years of service with the Tusten-Cochecton Library in Narrowsburg, now part of WSPL’s three-branch system spanning western Sullivan County.
“She truly made the arts more accessible in this area,” said Scott.
Few know that better than Elaine Giguere, the executive director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA) in Narrowsburg.
“She was such a great influence on the culture of the area,” Giguere mused.
Krause had served on DVAA’s board for more than three decades, bringing her no-nonsense teaching approach to the county’s main arts and culture organization.
“Getting the job done – that was her mantra,” Giguere shared, admitting she learned from Krause not to overanalyze before making important decisions.
Plenty of others learned many lessons from Krause, as well – so much so that the DVAA’s recital hall is named after her.
“She was immersed in music, and she never assumed anybody wouldn’t be interested,” Giguere related, recalling several people who developed their singing skills thanks to Krause’s famous persistence. “... She was very egalitarian in the way she approached teaching.”
Decades spent promoting music in Livingston Manor, Liberty, Narrowsburg and Monticello schools were accompanied by Krause’s creation of the Ill Winds Chamber Ensemble (later the Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra) and the Delaware Valley Opera (DVO).
She had a decidedly intense predilection for classical music, which she passionately passed on.
Her successor in educating local children, Sullivan West music teacher Kim Eschenberg, was a fortunate recipient, working with Krause and Giguere on a production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” before the DVO was even called the DVO.
“I was a shepherd,” Eschenberg shared. “That was my first performance of any kind, and it really got me interested in music.”
Krause also taught her flute lessons inside the Delaware Community Center in Callicoon. Eventually, Eschenberg joined her mentor on the DVO board.
In the years since, many young people under Krause’s tutelage have gone on to major success, and an endowment in her name will ensure her influence continues with future generations of musicians.
“[Look at] how much she did for this community,” Eschenberg related with awe. “Her commitment to music, her commitment to her students, to the people, to the area, was really quite extraordinary.
“She’s left an amazing legacy.”