Born in Philadelphia in 1947, Mr. Ginsberg began studying music at age 2 and gave his first piano recital at 6. He attended the Philadelphia Musical Academy, now the University of the Arts, from 1964 to 1967 and became assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Musical Academy Orchestra.
Mr. Ginsberg went on to conduct a 14-piece classical brass and percussion ensemble and a 30-piece pops orchestra.
"My husband was a genius," said his wife, Meral Lees Ginsberg. "Music ran through his veins."
His musical genius also traveled through schools and universities across southern New Jersey and Philadelphia via lectures and seminars.
"Sheldon always felt children should hear and visualize 'good music,' and to him 'good music' was classical, Dixieland and big band," said Meral Ginsberg.
He also conducted the Gallery II Pops Orchestra in Philadelphia and was principal arranger of "The Gallery II Musical Christmas Tree" at The Gallery at Market East in Philadelphia. After becoming ill, Mr. Ginsberg orchestrated the annual festivity from his bedside by telephoning instructions to his co- conductor.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Ginsberg is survived by his parents, Henry Ginsberg and Merle Glassman Ginsberg, and a sister, Rene Goldman.
Services will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Platt Memorial Chapels, 2001 Berlin Rd., Cherry Hill. Burial will follow at Montefiore Cemetery in Northeast Philadelphia.
The family requests that contributions be made to the Sheldon Harris Ginsberg Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, 247 Richfield Rd., Stonehurst, Pa. 19082-4121.
