Dorothy M. Eshelman, supervisor of vocal music at school in Snyder

Dorothy M. Eshelman, 99, a long-time music teacher and composer who taught vocal music in Snyder, died Sunday, May 13, 2007, at Beechwood Continuing Care, Getzville.

Born in Niagara Falls, Miss Eshelman was a 1930 graduate of Eastman School of Music in Rochester. Last fall, she was the oldest alumna to attend Eastman Weekend 2006.

Miss Eshelman also studied music at Chautauqua School of Music and took courses in piano tuning and mechanics. She received the first master's degree in music education from the University of Buffalo.

Miss Eshelman taught vocal and instrumental music in Buffalo public schools from 1935 to 1954. She also taught school methods in music education at Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College.

She was supervisor of vocal music at Amherst School 18, Harlem Road School in Snyder in the 1950s and was director of the Cherub Choir at Amherst Community Church in Snyder and organist for the Junior Church at Westminster Presbyterian Chapel in Buffalo. She also organized and directed a Junior Instrumental Ensemble at Westminster.

Miss Eshelman's primary instrument was the piano but she also taught and played handbells. Her own bells were mounted on a unique tower that enabled her to play using mallets.

She retired to Beechwood in the 1960s but continued to teach, organize choral groups, and handbell choirs. She played the piano up until a week before her death for daily meals and sing-a-longs and performed for religious services at the residence and nursing home.

Miss Eshelman was constantly greeted by former students who remembered her fondly. One reunion was with former student David Shire, an Oscar and Grammy winning composer.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 30 in the West Village Chapel auditorium at Beechwood Continuing Care, 2235 Millersport Hwy., Getzville.