Phil Hanes was remembered yesterday as a man who lived up to his billing.
"Many people are called leaders," the Rev. David B. Hodges told about 500 people who attended a funeral service Wednesday for Hanes at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. "Some are called visionaries. Few actually live up to those titles. Phil did."
Hanes, who played a key role in the local and national arts scenes and helped revitalize downtown Winston-Salem, died Sunday morning. He was 84.
"(Hanes) used his skills to get the attention of others while encouraging them to come together to accomplish great things," Hodges said in his homily.
Many administrators of local arts groups attended the service, as did key figures in the city's downtown, where Hanes focused his passion for building a lively, arts-filled city center. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., was also present.
Hanes helped found the UNC School of the Arts and donated millions of dollars to the school over the years. The service featured many reminders of the school. Several trustees and administrators — including John Mauceri, the school's chancellor — were in attendance.
And several people with ties to the school figured prominently in the music that was performed.
Anita Cirba, an alumna who is now the principal trumpeter in the Winston-Salem Symphony, played frequently throughout, getting things off to a particularly rousing start in the service's prelude.
Jim Houlik, a virtuoso on the saxophone, taught that instrument for many years before leaving to teach at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He came to Winston-Salem to perform at Wednesday's service.
Houlik recalled that he met Hanes about 35 years ago during a private performance at Hanes' home.
"I greeted him with a saxophone," Houlik said. "I'm sending him off with a saxophone."
Baritone John Williams, one of the school's first alumni, attended UNCSA when it began operating in the 1960s. Williams often sang with such local ensembles as the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Piedmont Chamber Singers.
During the service, Williams soloed in "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" and sang a setting of "The Lord's Prayer."
"It means a lot to me," Williams said of his contributions to the service. "Phil was instrumental in getting the school started. And the school was instrumental in helping me get where I am today."
The service was described by one observer as a traditional Episcopalian one, with prayer, Scripture readings and hymns figuring prominently.
A reception at St. Paul's was held after the service. Interment plans are pending.
kkeuffel@wsjournal.com
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