Stephen Hale Friedlander

Stephen Hale Friedlander passed away on March 1, 2024. Steve was born and raised in Oklahoma City, the beloved son of Annette Karchmer Friedlander and Raymond Friedlander, both of whom predeceased him. He became a Bar Mitzvah and was confirmed at Temple B’nai Israel, and attended Nichols Hills Elementary and John Marshall High School.

As a young person, Steve demonstrated talent and interest in both business and music, two passions that fueled him throughout his life.

Steve earned a B.S. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. He had a long and successful career as a finance originator for large capital projects in the energy sector for companies including Bankers Trust, Combustion Engineering, ABB Project & Trade Finance, Public Service Enterprise Group, and Reliant Energy.

Then Steve turned his professional attention to music, serving as the Production Manager of Mercury Baroque and Executive Director of the Bach Society in Houston, Texas, then Managing Director of Artistic Operations of the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In 2015, Steve moved to California and became associated with the Carmel Bach Festival, eventually serving as Executive Director.

Steve left a trail of admirers at every stop along the way who will miss his skill and charm. He leaves behind to mourn his loss but remember his love as well as many good meals, performances, and concerts his children, Eric Friedlander and Emily Friedlander, and his sister, Leslie Friedlander. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Carmel Bach Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, or Mercury Baroque.