Haddonfield resident, champion of music, internationally recognized singer, former Temple University dean passed away on Oct. 24
Helen Lorene Laird passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 24, at age 92. A Haddonfield resident for 40 years, she was best known throughout the Philadelphia region as Dean of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music.
Born in Harrisburg, Illinois, July 7, 1926, her exceptional musical talent became apparent from a young age. Singing opportunities came to her very early, and she matriculated at the University of Nebraska as a music major, then completed graduate degree at Columbia University. After further vocal study and concert appearances in the United States, she went to Europe in 1953 and by 1954 had been engaged for leading roles at the Basel City Theater in Switzerland. Appointments followed at Mainz and Kassel in Germany, and for 14 years she was a leading soprano.
Laird later returned to the United States for specific engagements. She garnered significant recognition, including the first ever Blanche Thebom Award, the Laureate of International Competition in Geneva, and the Martha Baird Rockefeller Award for Vocal Performance. Included among her title roles were Verdi’s Aida, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Tosca, and Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos and others. Important also were several Wagnerian roles, including Eva in Die Meistersinger and Senta in The Flying Dutchman.
Seeking to expand her teaching, Laird returned to the United States and accepted the post of professor and division chair of the opera and musical theater departments of the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where for a decade she taught and administered one of the country’s notable university vocal and opera programs until accepting the post as dean at Temple University.
During her 15-year tenure at Temple, the College of Music merged with the New School of Music in Philadelphia, greatly enhancing Temple’s orchestral and other instrumental programs, resulting in the establishment of the New School Institute of Temple University. Additionally, she played a crucial role in the renaming of the music college for benefactress Esther Boyer. Laird was also a member of SAI, the women’s fraternity of music.
Interment will be private. Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Helen Laird Voice/Opera Scholarship Fund at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Arrangements by Kain-Murphy Funeral Services of Haddonfield.
