Barbara A. Knapp, musician

Barbara A. Knapp, a retired professional musician, died of cancer Nov. 11 at her Lutherville home. She was 68.

Born in Baltimore and raised in Catonsville, she was the daughter of Herbert Knapp, a schools procurement director, and his wife, Dorothy Babcock.

She was a 1965 graduate of Catonsville Senior High School, where she played sports and was named the school’s “most athletic female senior.”

Earlier, while a student at Catonsville Elementary School, she began playing the clarinet and later the oboe. She initially studied at the Peabody Conservatory’s Preparatory Program, and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the Peabody Conservatory.

She began working as a freelance musician in the Washington-Baltimore area and was hired by the National Ballet Company orchestra in 1971.

Ms. Knapp went on to receive a Master of Arts degree at the New England Conservatory of Music and played on occasion with the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Boston Symphony.

She also played with the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble. She performed with the group for President Gerald Ford at the White House.

She returned to Baltimore in 1988 and joined the Concert Artists of Baltimore ensemble. As a freelance musician, she played at venues in Baltimore and at the National Theatre in Washington. She retired in 2007.

She was also a softball enthusiast and played shortstop on local teams.

She was a season ticket holder to Baltimore Orioles games and was a devoted fan.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at Ruck Funeral Home’s chapel, 1050 York Road in Towson.

Survivors include her wife, Bunny Creef. They were partners for 31 years. Other survivors include her two brothers, Herbert E. Knapp of Glen Arm and Michael P. Knapp of Washington; a sister, Beverly G. Knapp of Alexandria, Va.; a cousin and a nephew.