In Memoriam: Rebecca Young Tyree, 1955-2018

Rebecca Tyree, an assistant professor of choral music education and choral ensembles at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, died late last month as a result of injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. She was 62 years old.

Tyree joined the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University after spending 25 years teaching music in the public schools. In her previous position she was department chair and choral director at Hermitage High School in Richmond. She was named Music Educator of the Year for Henrico County Public Schools in 2000.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, Tyree founded the VCU Women’s Choir in 2007. Four years later, she founded the VCU Vocal Arts Project, a summer choral and performing arts camp for students in grades 6-12. She served as president of the Virginia Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association.

Tyree earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Maryland.