Children:
No Issue
Sibling(s):
None |
Notes:
Easton Express, May 28, 1934, page 1
Earle D. Laros, Dies Suddenly
Pianist, Founder and Director of Easton Symphony, Was 47.
Earle Douglas Laros, 47, Pianist founder and director of the Easton Symphony Orchestra and well know in musical circles in the Lehigh Valley, was found dead on Saturday afternoon at his home, 332 Spring Garden Street, this city. He had been in poor health since last winter and complained at times of severe pains in his arms and chest. He gave piano lessons on Thursday to pupils in Easton and Bethlehem and had arranged to go to Allentown on Friday but owing to the rain deferred his tip to that city. During the day he became seriously ill and was attended by a physician who advised complete rest for several days. After receiving treatment from his physician Friday evening, Mr. Laros went to sleep. He was thought to be sleeping quietly on Saturday morning and was no disturbed. Later in the afternoon, when a member of the household visited his room Mr. Laros was found dead in bed. Death had occurred in his sleep from an acute heart attack.
Mr. Laros was born in Easton on Dec 25, 1887, and was a son of Mrs. Annie A. and the late Uriah Laros. He attended the Easton schools and was graduated from the Easton High School in 1905. He entered Muhlenberg College, Allentown, as a member of the class of 1909 and later he entered Lafayette as a sophomore as a member of the class of 1910, pursuing the Latin Scientific Course.
He received his first instruction on the piano from Charles E. Knauss of this city, and his first appearance in public was the age of eleven years when he played the organ in the First Baptist Church, this city.
After spending a year at Lafayette, Mr. Laros became organist and choirmaster of St. John’s Lutheran Church and later he became organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church. He also served the College Hill Presbyterian and the First Presbyterian Churches as organist and choirmaster and then retired from church work, devoting all of his time to piano instruction, recitals and concerts.
In 1914 Mr. Laros decided to organize a symphony orchestra in Easton. The first rehearsal was held in March 1914 with fourteen men present and the first concert was given on May 20, 1915. In 1918, the orchestral suspended work owing to the war and in 1923 resumed rehearsals. The first concert after resumption of activities was given on Nov. 21, 1923.
The orchestra continued under Mr. Laros direction and in spite of many obstacles and discouragement, he preserved and during the past several years, the organization was placed on a good financial basis and the season of 1933-1934 was most successful one. The orchestra appeared at two concerts and two were given with noted artists as soloists. Mr. Laros appeared as a guest conductor at concerts in various cities and was a soloist at concerts given by orchestras in New York and Philadelphia. He was the author of a number of sons and piano compositions. During his musical, Mr. Laros studied under Joseffy, Busoni and Mrs. Eleanor Ferguson, noted teachers of New York City, He made two trips to Germany during his summer vacations and studied under Walter Glesdeking, in Berlin.
On June 6, 1932, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Music from Muhlenberg College, Allentown. He was president of Valley Forge Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, during the past year and was a member of the Easton Kiwanis club. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Mr. Laros’ only survivor is his mother, Mrs. Annie A. Laros. During his busy career in this city and in the Lehigh Valley, he made many friends and the news of his death which spread quickly on Saturday evening caused much sadness among those who know him and appreciated his talents as a director and pianist. He had already planned for some noted artist to appear at the series of concerts to be given next winter and his place in local musical circles will be hard to fill.
As a performer on his chosen instrument the piano, he had few superiors and the progress made by the Easton Symphony Orchestra, under his direction showed his great ability as a musician. |
