Ninety-year-old Gloria “Dode” Stroud, is a resident at Edgemere, an SQLC retirement community, and the proud owner of a nearly 300-year-old rare violin currently valued at $1 million. Stroud is a child prodigy, born in a small town near Abilene – Cisco, Texas – where she began studying violin at age five. Stroud played first-section violin in the famous Dallas Symphony Orchestra, retiring in 1991 after 42 years – one of the longest reigns in DSO history. About a year-and-a-half ago, a representative with Bein & Fushi, the Chicago dealer in rare and modern violins and other stringed instruments, contacted Stroud asking if she was interested in selling her violin. At first, Stroud was reluctant to part with the violin that played such a huge role in her life, but she decided to put it up for auction so someone else can enjoy it. The violin is currently for sale at Bein &Fushi in Chicago – priced at $1 million. Until the right buyer comes along, it will be kept safely in Chicago.
“At age 17 I was awarded a full scholarship to The Julliard School in New York City,” said Stroud. “Since my mother and father didn’t have to pay for my education, they purchased me a $10,000 Petrus Guarnerius violin handcrafted in 1740 in Cremona, Italy, an ancient town known worldwide for its superior violin makers. I made the decision to allow Bein & Fushi to list my violin for sale because of their reputation for excellence and dedication to preserving my prestigious violin until the right buyer comes along. Like a famous painting, this particular violin will continue to increase in value over the years.”
In the 17th and 18th centuries, The Guarnerius family, along with the Stradivari and Amati families, brought the art of violin making to its peak in Cremona. The masterful violins are famously known for their handsome wood, signature sound, and powerful depth and range. Although Stroud performed with her rare violin at Julliard, she was advised to leave her violin in a vault until she returned from performing with a traveling string quartet as part of the United Service Organizations (USO). Calling themselves the ‘Symphony of Strings,’ the group performed for soldiers injured during World War II. They regularly played approximately 10 to 12 shows a day in area hospitals.
“We wore beautiful evening gowns during our performances at the hospitals, bringing a taste of elegance and optimism to a sorrowful situation,” said Stroud. “It wasn’t always easy to be upbeat with the constant reminders of war, pain and loss surrounding us, but I felt like the music we played disrupted the chaos in a positive way.”
Stroud returned to Julliard for a brief stint before transferring to Southern Methodist University where she would later meet her husband. In 1949, she married and began work with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Although Stroud has been retired from the DSO for nearly 25 years, her beloved musical memories adorn her apartment walls at Edgemere retirement community. Stroud passionately shares her love of music with others, and the residents are eager to hear about the future of her rare violin.
“Gloria Stroud’s accomplished career as a violinist continues to inspire the staff and residents at Edgemere,” said John Falldine, managing director of Edgemere. “She is a shining example of the Masterpiece Living® platform, the community’s philosophy of embracing healthy living at any age in all regards – physical, spiritual, social and intellectual.”