We sadly inform our listeners that Selected Shorts host Isaiah Sheffer has passed away. Symphony Space shared this obituary over the weekend:
It is with both heavy hearts and a deep sense of gratitude that the staff, board, and community of artists of Symphony Space honor the life of our Founding Artistic Director, Isaiah Sheffer, who, along with his good friend and co-founder Allan Miller, transformed a crumbling building on the corner of 95th Street and Broadway into the vibrant and vital arts institution known today as Symphony Space. Isaiah's voice is recognized by millions in his role as host of Selected Shorts on Public Radio International, a show that he created as both a live stage performance and radio program, co-produced with WNYC Radio and carried on over 150 stations around the country. Isaiah's warmth, quick wit, and passion for the arts were an inherent part of what made him so special. For those of us lucky enough to have worked with Isaiah, and to have been part of a greater family under the roof that Isaiah helped to build, we are so proud to be a part of this vision made possible by an extraordinary and charismatic man who will be missed every day, and whose spirit makes our future bright. Should you wish to share thoughts or to make a contribution in Isaiah's memory, please visit www.symphonyspace.org/Isaiah . There is also a memorial page for people to post; Selected Shorts has already received a nice outpouring of wishes from listeners. The page is located here: http://www.selectedshorts.org/2012/11/isaiah-sheffer-1935-2012/.
PRI and Selected Shorts want to assure listeners and stations the program will continue. In the past few months Isaiah had been involved with the program on a semi-retirement basis. More details will be released later.