Selma Epstein

Internationally recognized concert pianist Selma Epstein passed away November 21, 2014 at her home in Pflugerville, TX at the age of 87. Born August 14, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York to Tillie and Samuel Schechtman, she found her calling early in life with the help and encouragement of her paternal uncle.

Although she won many prizes in high school for mathematics, Selma's life was dedicated to music. She debuted her career at Carnegie Hall at the age of 15 before going on to Julliard where she was the youngest pupil to study under the famed Rosina Lhevinne. Selma then received the D. Hendrick Ezerman Foundation Scholarship at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music to study with distinguished teacher Eduard Steuermann. In the 1960’s she was invited to be the first pianist to present a series of all contemporary pieces in the Far East and founded the Baltimore Washington Contemporary Music Group. Over her lifetime Selma recorded, most notably Selma Epstein plays Percy Grainger; authored several group piano-teaching texts and A Guide for Researching Music by Women Composers; taught at the Newcastle Conservatory of Music in NSW, Australia; and gave private lessons. But she is perhaps best known for her efforts to promote 20th century black and female composers.

Hailed as a pioneer and champion of contemporary music, she spent decades touring the world to bring attention to the genre, including a visit to the People’s Republic of China in 1992. Also she started senior adult group piano teaching at the Catonsville Community College and the Free University of John Hopkins, which still continue today at the Catonsville Senior Center. She fascinated children as well as adults by playing prepared piano inside the piano.

She drew and composed works in charcoal, paint and pastels. Selma loved to garden at her home in Dickeyville, Maryland, and she baked many delicacies for her monthly musical recitals which she hosted for all of her children and adult students. She loved cats, especially her white Persian Schmutzy and her black Persian Azania.

Even after retiring from touring and teaching, Selma continued to play on her Steinway B grand piano almost daily, just for the love of music.

Selma is preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Joseph Epstein and her eldest son, Leslie Epstein. She is survived by her children, Meta Epstein Larochelle, Bonney Epstein and Joshua Epstein and his wife, Paulette Epstein, as well as more than 20 grandchildren and great grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Monday, November 24, 2014 at 10 AM at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX.

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers over the past several years. They were dedicated and grew to love her like family. Especial thanks to Patricia Fortune, Nighat “Nikki” Kazi and Belinda Shannon.

Selma’s Steinway will have a home with the new Fine Arts Facility at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio Texas and much of her musical literature is also being donated to the museum there. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Humane Society of Austin.