Our beloved friend and colleague Raphael Fliegel passed away Monday
evening, July 25, at the age of 86. Professor Fliegel was one of the founding members of the Shepherd School faculty and led the violin sections of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years. He touched the lives of countless numbers of our students and served as an inspiration for all of us. "Ray was a consummate musician, superb teacher and a human spirit of incomparable warmth and generosity. With Ray’s passing, the Shepherd School has suffered an immeasurable loss," says Robert Yekovich, Dean of the Shepherd School of Music.

Raphael Fliegel celebrating his 85th birthday with Shepherd School Dean Robert Yekovich

Fliegel first joined the Shepherd School faculty in 1975 as Associate Professor to teach violin to promising young violinists and orchestral repertoire to all string students. He was also a member of the Shepherd String Quartet along with Ronald Patterson, Wayne Crouse and Shirley Trepel, all of whom were Principals of the Houston Symphony Orchestra at the time.

Fliegel became Professor Emeritus of Violin in 1989, but continued to teach at Rice until the time of his death. He taught violin orchestral repertoire and an independent study course to prepare students for professional auditions that led several students to careers with major orchestras.

A memorial concert will be held this fall in Professor Fliegel's honor, when everyone has returned from summer travels. In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Raphael Fliegel Violin Scholarship at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University- MS 532, PO Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251.