Deirdre Oehrtmann, resident of Windham, beloved wife of Charles Oehrtmann, and a long-time member of the Portland Symphony, passed away Friday morning, October 25. She was born in Presque Isle, Maine on July 22, 1953, of parents Mabel and Ferris Clark of South Portland. She attended South Portland High School, where she was a member of the band and also was a member of the Portland Youth Symphony under the baton of Clinton Graffam.
She joined the Portland Symphony in 1973 after Maestro Paul Vermel recognized her talent. She had a long career not only as a member of the second violin section of the PSO, but performed in various professional orchestras in Maine. This year marked her 52nd year with that organization, and she had the longest tenure of any member of the Symphony. She performed in the most “Magic of Christmas” concerts, and last year was the only person standing alone when the countdown of years of performance were announced publicly at each concert.
She taught violin lessons to students of all ages, from age 6 to high school, using the Suzuki Method which emphasizes ear training before reading. Her most recent teaching assignment was as a member of the faculty of the Portland Conservatory of Music. She was awarded the Carol Eaton Elowe Award from the Conservatory for her superior dedication to her students and for furthering the overall mission of the Portland Conservatory of Music. Some of her many students have performed in the Portland Youth Symphony, and others have auditioned and been chosen for the Maine All State Festival Orchestra throughout the years.
She was a Past President of the Maine Unit of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and also was Director of the Maine ASTA Summer Conference for several years. She founded and for ten years conducted the Portland Young Peoples String Consort, a training ensemble for younger students,which still meets and rehearses at USM in Gorham.
In addition to her performances with the PSO, Deirdre performed with the Maine Music Society, PORT Opera, Maine State Ballet, Portland Ballet and the Oratorio Chorale.
She was a person who met challenges head-on, with a can-do attitude and marvelous sense of humor and quick wit that make up some of the fondest memories of her. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her, both professionally and personally.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Oehrtmann, who is a member of the Music Department at RSU 14, Windham Raymond School District. He has performed with area community orchestras, the Southern Maine Symphony at USM in Gorham, the Midcoast Symphony in Topsham, and the Bates College Orchestra as a member of the double bass section.
Funeral services for Deirdre will be held Tuesday morning, October 29, at 10:00 AM at Congregation Bet Haam, 81 Westbrook Street, South Portland. Burial will follow the service at Beth El Memorial Park, South Portland.
Her memory lives on through the lives she has touched.