Music professor dies at 55

By Jacqueline Petersell
Copy Desk Chief

Services for Raymond Bazemore, 55, an associate professor of music who died Friday of unknown causes, should be finalized today after his relatives have been notified of his death.

Bazemore began teaching studio voice and giving private voice lessons at TCU in 1995.

Photo by Jacqueline Petersell - Copy Desk Chief Megan Bartlett, a sophomore music major, stops to read a quote posted outside Raymond Bazemore’s door in Ed Landreth Hall. Bazemore, an associate professor of music, died Friday.

Megan Bartlett, a sophomore music major who received private voice lessons from Bazemore, said he was more than just her professor.

“Professionally, he was my studio voice teacher,” Bartlett said. “He was so much more than that. He was a mentor, a friend, a guide and an inspiration to all of us.”

Bartlett first heard of Bazemore when she visited TCU for an audition. She said Bazemore’s excitement for the program and his reputation was a big reason why she chose to attend TCU.

“(I heard that) if you’re in music, you have to study with Raymond Bazemore,” Bartlett said. “He wasn’t just teaching us. He just flowed with love and excitement and enthusiasm for what he did.”

Bazemore was also the musical director for the theater department’s productions of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “My Fair Lady.” Be Boyd, an associate professor of theater, said Bazemore was a great help in the production of those shows.

“He was a wonderful addition to our department,” Boyd said. “‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ could not have gone on and been as successful as it was without Mr. Bazemore.”

Bazemore grew up in Norfolk, Va. He received his bachelor of arts degree in music in 1969 from Huston-Tillotson College in Austin. In 1973, he received his master of music from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

From 1969 to 1973, Bazemore sang in the U.S. Air Force Band and the Singing Sergeants. He had performed in the Metropolitan Opera, the Houston Grand Opera and The Washington Opera. He also played in the Broadway productions of “Porgy and Bess” and “Treemonisha.”

Blaise Ferrandino, interim dean of the School of Music, said Bazemore’s role of Simon in “Treemonisha” was something for which he was known.

“It was his signature role,” Ferrandino said. “He was the person who created the role.”

However, students and professors said it was Bazemore’s mere presence in the music program that will be remembered the most.
“Everything about him was big,” Bartlett said. “His voice was this booming bass voice. He would greet you with singing ‘today is a very good day.’ You could hear him all over the building.

“It feels so empty without him there. A lot of us can’t walk into the building without losing it. It’s the greatest loss the voice department can feel.”

Jacqueline Petersell
j.s.petersell@student.tcu.edu