VCCCDRA is catching up on posting notices of colleagues’ passing that had not been posted in past years.
Frank Salazar passed on June 24, 2000. The Salazar family provided the following:
Frank Anthony Salazar
“My joy in life is performing this music,
My pleasure in life is sharing it with you”
Frank Salazar could hardly remember a time when he wasn’t interested in music. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Frank was educated at the University of New Mexico, the Music Conservatory of Rome, and the Julliard School of Music in New York. Frank graduated from the University of Southern California with bachelor’s (1950) and master’s (1956) degrees in music.
Frank taught music at Oxnard High School. Then in 1956, he became a member of the faculty at Ventura College, where he shared his love of music with thousand of students and mentored many young professional musicians. He delighted in watching them develop their talents and find joy in the world of music. For so many of his students, Frank’s encouragement and support was a powerful influence in their lives.
In 1962, Frank founded the Ventura County Symphony and was the conductor and music director until his retirement in 1992. Frank was active in bringing fine music to the County of Ventura through many music festivals, such as the Midsummer Music Festival (1965 to 1977), and by featuring many nationally known artists in performances with the Ventura County Symphony. He also conducted and performed numerous concerts in Southern California, Mexico, Spain, and Switzerland.
In recognition of such an accomplished lifetime, Frank received such honors as the first Latino Achievement Award from Gente magazine in 1983; was named Outstanding Community Contributor by the Oxnard City Council in 1984; was named “one of the area’s 10 most influential citizens of the last half century” by the Ventura County Star Free Press in 1985; was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Ventura in 1986; received the Ventura College Academic Senate Community Award in 1987; and was entered into the Congressional Record for enhancing “the cultural resources of Ventura County” on March 24, 1992.
Favoring all types of music, Frank said that his favorite piece was that being performed at the present moment. He was a great artist and a generous and faithful friend to many. His love of music enriched the community and the lives of everyone with whom he came in contact.
Retired (February 2015); Dean, Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College (2008-2015); Professor, Business, Oxnard College (1992-2008); Adjunct Professor, Business, Business Information Systems, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1976-1992); Intermediate Steno Secretary, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1970-1974).