Butler, Bel Air Graduate, Dies

Casey Butler, an 18-year-old freshman at the Peabody Conservatory and a Bel Air High School graduate, died yesterday after losing consciousness during a weekly bassoon lesson.

"She lost consciousness and [her instructor] called the security team and people came up there and tried to revive her and called EMTs, but they were unsuccessful," said Richard Selden, the Peabody's director of marketing and communications.

Butler was then taken to Mercy Medical Center, where she died sometime before 3:30 p.m.

Phillip Kolker, who has known the family for about three years, is the instructor who was giving Butler the lesson.

The freshman at the school of approximately 300 undergraduates was one of three bassoonists on the Peabody Wind Ensemble.

Peabody Institute Director Jeffrey Sharkey expressed condolences on behalf of the campus in a statement on the school's website.

"In a small community such as ours, a loss such as this touches every individual. I know that everyone shares my shock and sadness," Sharkey said. "Our hearts go out to her parents, her other family members and her friends. We are grateful to her primary teacher, Phil Kolker, and to our campus security staff members, all of whom responded immediately."

Seldmen said that the cause of death is still unknown and an autopsy has been planned. Services for Butler have not been announced.

There is, however, a concert scheduled for Dec. 14 on the Peabody campus that will be played in her honor. It will take place at 7:30 p.m.