Dr. James Fahringer, Music Director Emeritus (1935 - 2013)

Dr. Earl James Fahringer dedicated his musical life to the Claremont Symphony Orchestra.  During the past 53 years, Jim (as he was affectionately known) served as violinist, violist, percussionist, Assistant Conductor, Music Director (for 32 years), and Co-Conductor of the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra (for more than 20 years). The orchestra was his family.  Jim’s wife Delphine Pierce Fahringer also contributed to the orchestra for nearly 50 years, as soprano soloist and, most notably, as Manager of the CYSO (for 20 years), until her passing in 2008.  Among the highlights of Jim’s career were three concerts by the Las Vegas Motown group Spectrum. The last concert he conducted was the June 2013 performance of Spectrum.

Dr. Fahringer graduated from Cal State Los Angeles with degrees in Music Education and Conducting.  He received his Doctor of Musical Arts from USC in Voice Performance in 1976.  He was a music educator in the Pomona School District for over thirty years.

The CSO has established the James and Delphine Fahringer Fund for support of the CSO and CYSO.  Donations may be sent to Claremont Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 698, Claremont, CA 91711.

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This web page has many photos, including those from Jim's memorial service on December 19, 2013.  To read or share personal tributes to Jim, please go to our Memorial Tributes page.  To read the official obituary, which was published in the December 20, 2013 issue of the Claremont Courier, click here.

Jim after conducting his final concert in June 2013 - the return of Spectrum. Cushney Roberts (l) and Darryl Grant (r) of Spectrum applaud. (photo courtesy of John Gibson)

Click on any of the photos below to see a larger view.

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Photos from Jim's memorial service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA on December 19, 2013

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

String trio Gloria Cangahuala (l), Anne Sherrill (cello), and Elise Doran (r) play before the service begins. All the music played by the trio was the same music that the same three musicians played at Delphine Fahringer's memorial service in 2008. (photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

Jim's casket is carried to the gravesite for the memorial service. (photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

Jim's casket is placed on the lift in preparation for placement in his crypt. (photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

Jim's crypt site, next to Delphine. (photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

(photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

Jim is placed next to his beloved wife Delphine. (photo courtesy of Tom Edwards)

CSO clarinetist Bev Widner gives a moving tribute to Jim. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Reverend Garner officiates. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Flowers from the CSO, beautifully designed by Sherwood Florist. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Post-service luncheon in Glendale. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Associate Concertmaster Elise Doran-Lampassi and her mother Connie at the luncheon after the service. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

The daughters of CSO's late Associate Conductor Gary Iida - who passed away in November - are among the many who attended Jim's memorial service. They are seen here 2nd and 3rd from left. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim's beautiful casket. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Reverend Garner officiates. Jim's cousins and aunt are seated in the front row. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Gathered for lunch after the service. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

The rain was at times heavy, such as when CSO President Cecilia Cloughly was speaking. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

(photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

CSO Music Director Robert Sage gives a tribute to Jim. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim's memorial service is about to start. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

CSO Concertmaster Gloria Cangahuala (l), Associate Concertmaster Elise Doran-Lampassi (c), and Co-Principal Cellist Anne Sherrill (r) play as people arrive. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

The CSO string trio at lunch after the service. From left to right: Anne Sherrill, Gloria Cangahuala, Elise Doran-Lampassi. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Delphine Fahringer's cousins the Ellisons at the post-service lunch. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Violinist Corey Duran (2nd from left) and his father Tom (3rd from left) with CSO President Cecilia Cloughly during the memorial service. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

(photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

To read or share personal tributes to Jim, please go to our Memorial Tributes page.

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Photos from various events in Jim's life

Jim rehearses with CSO in 2004, in preparation for our historic first concert with Spectrum. At the keyboard is Spectrum's late keyboardist Tex Richardson. (photo courtesy of Mark Dobkin)

Jim (l) and his wife Delphine (r) sang at the 1986 wedding of current CSO President Cecilia Cloughly and her husband Frank Stott. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim rehearses the CSO.

Jim was honored at CSO's June 12, 2013 concert, the last concert he conducted. The concert featured Spectrum's third appearance with CSO. (photo courtesy of John Gibson)

Jim with composer Margaret Meier (l) and pianist Barbara Rogers (r) in Bridges Hall of Music in March 2005 after a rehearsal of Meier's piano concerto "For Joy That a Woman Child is Born." (photo courtesy of Margaret Meier)

Jim with Gloria Cangahuala after her performance of the Schumann Piano Concerto, October 2005. (photo courtesy of Gloria Cangahuala)

Jim with Cushney Roberts of Motown singing group Spectrum, June 2013. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim with Ernie Johnson, CSO lobby volunteer, at the post-concert reception, October 2005. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim during rehearsal with Spectrum, June 2013. It would be Jim's last time conducting the CSO. (photo courtesy of John Gibson)

Jim cheerfully helps out in the lobby of Little Bridges during a CSO concert, 2010. (photo courtesy of John Gibson)

Jim with current Music Director Robert Sage at the CSO's September 2012 "An Evening of Jazz" fundraiser at Padua Hills Theater. (photo courtesy of Rosanne Cuomo)

Jim rehearses the CSO with cello soloist Mark Dobkin, March 2010. (photo courtesy of Mark Dobkin)

Jim and the CSO acknowledge the audience at the end of the March 2010 concert. (photo courtesy of Mark Dobkin)

Jim with orchestra members and supporters at dinner, March 2008. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim at dinner after his American Songs performance with CSO, October 2009. Next to Jim is his aunt Marjorie Fahringer, who was his first music teacher. At left his Marjorie's granddaughter Dianna Armand and her two daughters Julianna (l) and Alexandra (r). (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim retires in 2011 and becomes Music Director Emeritus. CSO President Cecilia Cloughly presents him with a plaque on behalf of the orchestra. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Rehearsing with Cushney Roberts of Spectrum in preparation for the June 2013 concert. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim with Spectrum's Cushney Roberts in rehearsal, May 2013. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

Jim and Spectrum's Cushney Roberts in rehearsal, May 2013. (photo courtesy of Cecilia Cloughly)

To read or share personal tributes to Jim, please go to our Memorial Tributes page.