Barbara Barstow
Graduating class: 1935
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2013
Hall of Fame Category: Lifetime Achievement
Barbara Jean Barstow was born June 26, 1917 and lived to bless the world with her music, compassion and grace throughout her life. Barbara achieved and received distinction worldwide, music was her muse.
A 1935 graduate of Fairhaven High School, she was a concert violinist who faithfully enhanced and perfected her ability with private lessons from Boston’s best musicians. At the young age of 14, Barbara was invited to become a member of the New Bedford Symphony. Prior to that, she had been a soloist and concertmaster for the smaller, but well known, New Bedford City Orchestra.
As time went by, Barbara became an accepted “status” member of the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra in 1942. Close associate, cellist Shirley Adams, became a lifelong friend and collaborator. Next enrollment for the incredibly talented Barbara was the National Symphony of Washington, D.C. Following this stellar achievement, Barbara and Shirley journeyed, participated, and taught private music lessons with various chamber ensembles including positions at schools and universities.
After World War II, a geographic shift brought Barbara back to the North East Coast where she became a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
Earning her a “special niche” in the music world, Barbara Barstow became one of the first women concertmasters of the world! A position she proudly represented for thirty years.
A lady of Fairhaven, Barbara exhibited patience, perfection, and personal passion graciously shared with many. In retirement in the early 1980’s, Barbara and Shirley chose Vineyard Haven. There, among other activities, they operated the Music Box Restaurant which often included impromptu music recitals and they also promoted generous, hospitable community care in the town they now embellished including Meals on Wheels, Community Solar Greenhouse and Tisbury Senior Center. Barbara died on May 11, 2011, at the age of 93.
Barbara Barstow left a tremendous mark in the Art’s World and a legacy that will never be forgotten in Fairhaven or the world. Barbara was the sister of Judith Laffey, who resides in Mystic, Connecticut.