On November 15, 2010, Casey Santana Butler passed away after collapsing during a music lesson. Casey was a freshman at the Peabody Conservatory and a cherished member of the music community. Although Casey died young, she is remembered fondly by both those she grew up with, and those she had just met.
Students were assured that campus security responded immediately to Casey’s collapse, and she was rushed to Mercy Hospital, where she was unable to be revived. The exact cause of death is still, at this time, unknown.
Casey was born on March 11th, 1992, in Wilmington, Delaware. For 11 years, Casey and her family resided in Maryland, where Casey accomplished more than most young people could ever dream of. As part of the Hopkins community, there was never any doubt that Casey was a talented individual. However, Casey moved beyond the ordinary expectations of a JHU student.
“In a small community such as ours, a loss such as this touches every individual . . . our hearts go out to her parents, her other family members, and her friends.” Peabody Director Jeffrey Sharkey wrote to Peabody students, just hours after her death.
While most teenagers are focused on video games, television, dating and having fun, Casey found joy in something else. Music. Through her music, Casey was able to touch the lives of many. Throughout her teen years, Casey was a member of the All-County Band and Orchestra, the All-State Band, the Harford Youth Orchestra, the Maryland Youth Chamber Orchestra and the Peabody Youth Orchestra. Through all of these musical groups Casey met and inspired hundreds of people, of all ages. These people saw and heard her love for music, and this love was never forgotten. People whom Casey had never met gathered to write her messages on her facebook profile, commenting on how her talent affected them.
Attending Middle and High School with Casey was always a joy. She was the one who never stopped smiling. She loved a challenge, one of the many reasons why she decided to learn bassoon. In her senior year of high school, the year many students decide to back down from academics and school, Casey challenged herself. In addition to her already rigorous academic schedule, Casey was a member of the Band, Chorus and Orchestra, as well as field commander for the Marching Band. She conducted many of the Freshman Band performances as well as played piano accompaniment for many award-winning choral performances.
In each of the musical groups Casey performed in, she inspired others. In her high school orchestra, Casey took it upon herself to learn the viola, a task not easy for someone of her age. However, she would surprise the entire orchestra with her dedication to learning and studying music, as well as her progress with her instrument. On days of playing tests, she would wake up early in the morning, just to get in that extra hour of practice.
Casey had many dimensions as a person. She had so much musical talent, yet she was humble. To her, her musical gift was something to nurture and share. Anyone who ever saw her perform knew of her talent; her peers knew of her character. Casey was never one to complain or boast. She smiled even in the worst of situations. Her many quirks were admired and celebrated by many.
Her friends from high school have many happy memories of Casey. In biology class in tenth grade, students were instructed to create a DNA model. Casey’s was made of duct tape. In music theory class, when students were instructed to write a piece for their classmates to perform, Casey asked that all of her classmates wear monkey hats for the performance. On Toga Day, Casey was infamous for her Charlie Brown bed sheets, and on rainy days, students would always see Casey proudly wearing her music note rainboots. Whenever Casey accepted an award, whether it be for her 2010 Recognition Award or her Music Department award, the school celebrated her.
Casey was also one to impress her teachers. When Casey Butler told the high school of her acceptance to Peabody, she instantly became a star of the community.
“She definitely had a very promising future in whatever path she wanted to take.” Said her band teacher, Tony Domenico.
Although new to the Peabody community, she was welcomed with open arms. She fit in well, and was spoken of highly, even by those whom she had just met. Her joy and charm were instantaneously noticed.
Casey’s favorite expression was, “Life is music.” And for Casey, this was true both literally and figuratively. Like all great pieces of music, Casey’s life had beautiful harmony, and a special message to convey. But unfortunately, all great pieces of music must come to an end. And like the most brilliant of symphonies, Casey’s life ended much too soon.
Perhaps Casey said it best in her senior quote, by Dale Carnegie: “For better or worse you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.”
