Obituary of Muriel L. Kilby

Muriel L. Kilby, 88, died Monday, November 20, 2017, in Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing, Gerry, New York. A native of Ontario, Canada, she was born November 5, 1929, the daughter of the late Stanley and Elena "Nellie" Selby Kilby who immigrated to Canada from England. She began playing the piano at 7 and the marimba at 10. She made her Toronto Symphony Orchestra debut as pianist at 16 in the first movement of Chopin's Concerto in E Minor, and in the next 15 years appeared at least 10 times as solo marimbist or pianist with that orchestra. She received a degree from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and later received a bachelor's degree at The Julliard School of Music, New York City, where she studied piano with James Friskin. She was recipient of a teaching fellowship from Julliard as well as awards and scholarships from the National Federation of Music Clubs, Concert Artists Guild and the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada (CAPAC). Three times she won CAPAC prizes for her songs and piano pieces. She made her US radio debut in 1951 on the ABC network, playing a Schumann Piano Concerto. She played Prokofiev's Concerto No. 2 in Detroit and Chicago, and in 1963 she repeated the work in Canada with the CBC Symphony Orchestra. Kilby spent 20 years as Official Orchestra Pianist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) making many tours of Europe with the group. She performed on many recordings with the DSO on the London label. At the same time during the Chautauqua Institution summer season she was also Principal Pianist/Keyboard Artist for the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (CSO). In 1996 Kilby retired from the Detroit Symphony and moved to Jamestown. Over the years Kilby was soloist with the CSO on many occasions. In addition, she was a soloist for over 20 orchestras including Chicago, Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto Symphonies. Locally she appeared with the Erie Philharmonic. For over 40 years Kilby performed with the CSO retiring in 2006. Kilby performed on countless Chautauqua Institution chamber music concerts in McKnight Hall to benefit the Chautauqua Women's Club. She was a member of the music faculty teaching piano at The Julliard School of Music, New York City; Jewish Community Center, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Mercy College, Detroit, MI; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI and Chautauqua School of Music, Chautauqua, NY. In addition, Kilby had a very active studio for private piano instruction. She recorded with London Records and Golden Crest and performed as accompanist for Mischa Mischakoff, violinist; Michigan Trio and the Ben-Meir Kilby Duo. Muriel was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist where she played the piano and organ for church services. She is survived by special friend and caregiver Lucy Olson of Falconer. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home where friends will be received for one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, 321 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, NY 14701, Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701 or a charity of choice. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.