Margaret Redcay

Mary Margaret Weeks Redcay passed peacefully with family at her side on Friday 24, 2025. She is survived by her brother Ray Weeks (m. Ginger Weeks) of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Beth Bowlin and Andrea Graves of Flagstaff, AZ (m. Jay Graves); her grandchildren Christy Richards (m. Jason Richards), Katherine Graves of Austin, TX and Kelsey Graves of Tucson, AZ; and her great grandchildren Brogan and Beckham Richards. Margaret was an influential professional musician teaching music theory and applied flute at Texas Tech University and private flute lessons from her home studio. She began her music studies in the Durham, NC middle school band and through private lessons in piano and flute. Her parents recognized her talents early on and supported her many summers as a flutist at the Brevard Music Festival in the mountains of North Carolina. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music and Performer’s Certificate at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music where she met her late husband, pianist Thomas Redcay (b.1929-d.1987). They performed, taught, and grew their family in South Carolina and then in Texas, first at Baylor University, then at Texas Tech University beginning in 1966.

Margaret began her long tenure as Principal Flutist in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra (1968-2005) and also led many students to perform in the Texas All-State Ensembles and to win prestigious competitions including the National Flute Association High School Young Artist, the Myrna Brown Young Artist, Texas Flute Society Professional Division, and NPR’s “From the Top.” Many of her students became professional musicians and music educators, and she received one of the inaugural 2018 Foundation for Music Education awards in acknowledgement and appreciation for a career of exemplary music teaching, leadership, and passion for excellence in music.

Margaret’s influential flute teacher at the Eastman School of Music, Joseph Mariano, inspired her with his concepts of nuanced tone, phrasing, and attention to detail, and she strove to pass along these elements in her own teaching. Margaret was also a consummate teacher of music theory and her many students fondly recall her engaging classroom style enhanced by her Southern charm and fun metaphors that helped them complete her rigorous curriculum.

Margaret was talented in so many ways. On any given day, you could find her assisting at the Arabian Horse Association horse shows, planting beautiful flowers in her garden, cooking up a delicious meal or preparing for her beloved Christmas Eve party, donning her black dress and pearls for a recital performance, or on travel adventures from exploring European destinations to camping in Colorado. Margaret lives on through the many whom she influenced in so many beautiful ways.

All are welcome to the Celebration of Margaret Redcay’s Life on Friday, February 7, 2025, 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 1411 Broadway St, Lubbock, TX 79401.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Texas Tech University School of Music Friends of Music Scholarship Fund in memory of Margaret Redcay. Please include “in memory of Margaret Redcay” in the memo line of your check or in the online portal for TTU School of Music Scholarship Endowment. Contact [email protected], (806) 742-692, 18th and Boston Avenue Box 42033, Lubbock TX 79409-2033 for more information.