Sherman Abbot Walt (August 22, 1923 – October 26, 1989) was one of the foremost American bassoonists of the 20th century. Born in

Virginia, Minnesota Virginia is a city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States, on the Mesabi Iron Range. With an economy heavily reliant on large-scale iron ore mining, Virginia is considered the Mesabi Range's commercial center. The population was 8,423 ...

, he served in the U.S. Army in World War II, winning a

Bronze Star The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

; after his discharge from the service he joined the

Chicago Symphony Orchestra The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) was founded by Theodore Thomas in 1891. The ensemble makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival. The music director is Riccardo Muti, who began his tenu ...

as principal bassoonist. He studied at the University of Minnesota and the Curtis Institute of Music. In 1951 he moved to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and served in a similar position there for the remainder of his career. He is featured on numerous recordings as an ensemble player and soloist. He was hit by an automobile while helping his wife cross the road in 1989 just a few months after his retirement. He was eulogized in print by Seiji Ozawa "From the beginning, Sherman made me feel tremendous joy and pride to be the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His death is a great loss for all of us in the Boston Symphony family. Sherm was a magnificent musician, a wonderful human being and my dear friend. We are all shaken by this tragedy and will mourn this day forever." http://www.garon.us/images2/obits/Walt,%20Sherman%20obit%201989.htm

References

1923 births University of Minnesota alumni 1989 deaths American classical bassoonists People from Virginia, Minnesota 20th-century classical musicians 20th-century American musicians United States Army personnel of World War II {{US-woodwind-musician-stub