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Cris Selman (left) and her husband, Dr. Joseph Selman were honored with the ETSOA Past President Award Winner in 2009
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Bernice 'Cris' Cristol Selman (1916-2010)
A Rememberance by Betty Bower, ETSOA Board Member and Past President
The death of one of Tyler’s long-time advocates of the arts, Cris Selman, silences yet another voice that has supported cultural programs in the Tyler and East Texas area.
The past 60 years of her life were spent in Tyler as wife of now retired radiologist Dr. Joseph Selman, and mother of Jay, Michael, Thomas and Susan Selman. Her death on July 21, 2010, at age 94 leaves survivors: husband Joseph, sons Jay Selman and wife Patty Patinka, Michael and wife Sachiko Selman, Thomas and wife Miriam Selman, and daughter Susan and husband Thomas Hannan.
Cris demonstrated her belief in arts and education through her roles in the East Texas Symphony, the Medical Alliance and the Medical Alliance Book Fair, League of Women Voters, Women’s Symphony League and the Temple Beth El Sisterhood. She served as past president of the League of Women Voters, was a founder of the Women’s Symphony League and of the Medical Alliance Book Fair, and was a member of the ETSO Board of Directors. For many years, she wrote the Symphony’s concert program notes to highlight the classical experience for the audience, while her husband, Joe, was a violinist with the orchestra in the early years of the symphony.
Along with her husband, Cris encouraged the Selman children in Tyler schools as they studied violin and participated in many Symphony activities along with their close friends, the Joseph Kirshbaum family, which included budding young cellist Ralph Kirshbaum. The Selman children all continue with their arts involvement today across the U.S., from Dallas to New York.
Cris Selman exemplified that parents are key to children’s involvement and appreciation in activities of music, art and reading –all early indicators of success and personal fulfillment in later life. Without Mom or Dad’s encouragement and insistence music lessons or any arts participation withers. Dropped music lessons may be regretted only as adults realize ‘if only I had known.’
The East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association recognized Cris and Dr. Joe as honorees of the ETSO’s Past Presidents Award in 2009 shortly before their move to Plano when health issues necessitated they be closer to family. Cris’s work writing program notes and her service to the Association throughout the years were most appreciated – and will be greatly missed.
Cris Selman’s commitment to the East Texas Symphony continues, though her own voice is stilled, as reflected in her family decision to designate ETSO as a beneficiary of memorials in her honor.
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