Phyllis Weyer Garriss

Phyllis Weyer Garriss, 99, was born on Christmas Day, 1923 in Hastings, Nebraska, and died peacefully on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at home in Raleigh, NC surrounded by family and dear friends. She was the daughter of Frank Elmer Weyer and Mabelle Carey Weyer of Hastings, Nebraska.

Because both of her parents were educators, Phyllis and her two older sisters grew up with a lifelong and insatiable desire to learn. She, Dorothy and Mary were avid readers who each had numerous pen pals from different countries made available through Child Life magazine. The girls took music lessons from an early age and formed a family trio (violin, cello and piano) that regularly played for the PTA, retirement homes and the local radio station. As the keyboard player in the trio Phyllis was recruited to serve as organist at a local church while still a teenager. Thus her love for classical music, specifically chamber music, set sail.

Phyllis attended Hastings College and double majored in Violin Performance and Music Education. One of her extra-curricular activities included being a majorette, twirling flaming batons at football games. She earned her Master of Music in Theory with a concentration in Violin from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY where she studied violin with Millard Taylor. During summers she studied with Roman Totenburg in Aspen, CO and Andre deRibeaupierre in Switzerland. While in Switzerland Phyllis and some musician friends hiked part way up the Matterhorn on an adventurous excursion led by her violin teacher. They all toted their instruments carefully secured to their backpacks which were filled with tea, food and sterno. She later described the experience of playing chamber music outdoors and having tea in the heights of a breathtaking vista as the closest she had been to heaven. Her love for music, learning, travel and nature never ceased.

After Eastman, Phyllis held teaching positions at Depauw University, Ball State University and Meredith College in Raleigh, NC where she taught for 65 years. Soon after her arrival to Raleigh, she began teaching violin lessons to a young accountant who won her heart. A few years later she and William Philip Garriss married and together they raised three children.

In 1979, Phyllis founded and directed The Lamar Stringfield Music Camp to provide local public school string students in all income brackets an opportunity to learn from nationally acclaimed string pedagogues. Initially designed to introduce chamber music to students, the camp later developed an outstanding orchestra program directed by current or past presidents of the American String Teachers Association. After 44 years, the camp continues to grow and inspire children.

Phyllis served on numerous boards and belonged to many national musical organizations. She was a lifetime member of The American String Teachers Association for which she served as its first Corresponding Secretary and Assistant Editor. She helped formulate The Friends of the College Concert Series at NCSU, and supported work for The Alma Dark Howard Scholarship organization, The Raleigh Music Club, Raleigh Chamber Music Guild, and The Musicians Association Local 500. In May 2023 Phyllis was recognized at the NC P.E.O. Convention as an 80-year member of the organization having been a charter member of NC Chapter I.

Over the years Phyllis was the recipient of several awards some of which were presented by ASTA, MENC, MTNA, and The City of Raleigh Arts Commission. In 2017 she was the first recipient of the North Carolina Symphony Lifetime Achievement Award.

Throughout her career Phyllis enjoyed performing violin and viola in various settings including The Duke University Symphony, The Raleigh Symphony Orchestra, Tar River Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony, National Opera Company, Raleigh Little Theatre and The Capital String Ensemble, to name a few. She also thoroughly enjoyed the friendships made during her 29 years of summer teaching at Cannon Music Camp at Appalachian State University.

Phyllis is predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years. She is survived by her son, Daniel Garriss (wife, Sue), daughter, Meredith Cooper (husband, Pell), daughter Margaret Garriss, and granddaughter, Marelle Cooper. She leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews and their families as well as many cherished students and friends. The family extends their deep appreciation to Phyllis’s devoted caregivers, Constance, Wanda, Mia, Angie, Tanja, Souad and Renee.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church on Salisbury Street, Raleigh NC. The family received friends at the church following the service. The burial was private.

A video recording of the service is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsmN1_rvCdc

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Lamar Stringfield Music Camp, P.O. Box 33489, Raleigh, NC 27636, or to First Presbyterian Church, 112 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Service arrangements are provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605.