Lynn Harbold, BPO Principal Percussionist, Leaves a Legacy of Music, Inspiration and Love

Our beloved father, Lynn Allen Harbold, originally of Franklintown, PA, living in Lancaster, NY, 84 years old, passed into eternal peace on June 17, 2020, at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. In addition to playing in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, from 1959 to 1998, becoming Principal Percussionist under Lucas Foss in 1971, he also performed with Young Audiences Arts for Learning, was a member of the avant-garde quartet, the New Percussion Quartet from 1966 to 1970, taught percussion at the University of Buffalo, and many of his students achieved acclaim in world-renown orchestras and other musical venues.

Lynn Harbold was born in Franklintown, PA in 1936 to Charles A. Harbold and Sarah E. Harbold (Jones), and attended Northern High School. Harry Fisher, a community "music man," took a keen interest in Lynn and started him on trombone in his community band, then switched him to snare drum, eventually driving him long distances from Dillsburg to Philadelphia, PA to study with Fred Hinger, recognized throughout the world as one of the great percussion authorities and instrument designers, at the Curtis Music Institute in Philadelphia, PA. Lynn attended Lebanon Valley College for one year until he transferred to Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA, where he studied under Fred Hinger. After successfully auditioning for the Dallas, New Orleans, Baltimore, and the Buffalo symphony orchestras, he chose to accept the BPO offer so he could play under the baton of the acclaimed European conductor, Josef Kripps.

He is survived by his sister, Cheryl Carter, three children, Leith Chamberlain, Shelley (John) Glim and Jill (Colin) Barrick, his two grandchildren, Sara (Jeffrey) Spoth and Madison Chamberlain, and his great-grandchild, Beckett Spoth.

Although Lynn Harbold was a consummate professional, he was best known as a great mentor, storyteller, and humanist. He was always very interested in people and willing to talk to anyone to discover who they were, what they might need, or how they were connected. This lead to thousands of letters of correspondence over the years, phone calls, and visits, all without the aid of a single digital device. He wrote, he listened, and he spoke.

There will be a celebration of Lynn's life announced at a later date. Go to: facebook.com/Lynn-Harbold-101907601578630/ for updated information and to submit stories and photographs, or email Leith Chamberlain at leithdesign@gmail.com.

To honor Lynn, in lieu of gifts or flowers, practice love, selflessness, and humility.

Arrangements by: ERIE COUNTY CREMATION SERVICE, (716) 824-6435, 873 Abbott Rd., Buffalo, NY 14220.