Carol Hampton Bitcon
October 2, 1936 - January 9, 2009
Obituary
Carol Hampton BITCON Carol Hampton was born on 10/02/36 in San Francisco. Her parents, Wade and Edith Hampton, encouraged her to be strong and joyful and created an environment that reinforced diversity and humor. Carol’s love of music became apparent early in her life. In addition to playing piano and upright bass, she studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Carol went on to the University of the Pacific, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Music. She later earned a Master’s in Education from Chapman University. While at UOP, Carol met fellow student John Cameron Bitcon; they married in 1959 and had a playful, romantic union until John’s death in 1996. Carol was a pioneer in the field of Music Therapy. She worked at Fairview Developmental Center for the Learning Disabled in Costa Mesa, California, as a Registered Music Therapist and program director for Adolescent Social Development. In 1968, she became interested in Orff-Schulwerk, based Carl Orff’s philosophy that children should develop a ‘musical language’ of rhythms and sounds as a means of self-expression. Carol adapted Orff-Schulwerk concepts to clinical and educational programs emphasizing success and diversity in music, drama, poetry and art. She served as President of the National Association for Music Therapy and authored ‘Alike and Different: The Clinical and Educational Uses of Orff-Schulwerk.’ During her career she taught throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, including presenting at the 1st International Symposium of Music for the Handicapped in Montpellier, France. Carol was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1986. She ‘made lemonade’ and continued to work and play. She retired in 1996 following John’s death and moved to Seattle to be closer to her family. In 1997 Carol survived a severe E. coli infection. Despite being thereafter reliant on a wheelchair, she maintained an incredibly positive attitude. Music, art classes and time with her grandchildren brought her joy. She was excited about the development of a Music Therapy program at Seattle Pacific University, and looked forward to sharing her resources. Carol died on 01/09/09 from an infection after a very brief illness while listening to Carmina Burana. Carol is survived by her children Ron and Shari, son-in-law Paul Donnelly, granddaughters Tanya, Shannon, Maura, Cameron and Bridget, sisters Janet Schlesinger and Roberta Dacong, sisters-in-law Bobbie Wallinger and Dorothy Whitmire, nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Clementine. Many thanks to friend Pam Healy, who helped Carol’s quality of life be quite fabulous for the last 8 years. Donations in Carol’s memory can be made to: Seattle Pacific University – Music Department, 3307 Third Avenue W., Seattle, WA 98119.