YUBA COUNTY, CA - An internationally renowned orchestra conductor from Oregon House died in a car crash in Yuba County on Tuesday evening.
According to California Highway Patrol, Michael Goodwin, 65, was traveling on State Route 60 at a "speed that was unsafe for the wet roadway."
Goodwin's tires lost traction with the road, causing the vehicle to spin counter-clockwise into the path of an oncoming vehicle in the westbound lane, according to CHP.
The vehicles left the roadway and went about 40 feet down an embankment.
Goodwin died at the scene. Delta Dawn Armtrout of Browns Valley and her two children were inside the other vehicle. They suffered minor injuries, CHP said.
"He was unique and he was fun to be with," musician Sue Dings said. "The orchestra always enjoyed his humor as well as his knowledge."
Dings said members became concerned Tuesday evening when Goodwin did not show up for rehearsal. She said Goodwin was always there and prompt. It was after the rehearsal when members learned what happened.
"He knew what he wanted in a piece of music. He was very clear, he was very articulate in explaining exactly what he wanted and that's really rare," musician Carole Darlington said. "He worked so hard on the music, learning it, and he performed many of them without scores, just from memory, and he knew when to bring us in just at the right time."
Under Goodwin's leadership, the Auburn Symphony began to build an international reputation.
"He was known and respected by musicians throughout the world," Auburn Symphony business manager Rob Haswell said. "We could attract some of the best guest artists for a pittance of what they normally pay because of him. This is a loss that will not be easy to overcome."
The Auburn Symphony was scheduled to perform on Saturday at Placer High School, but it's unclear whether the performance will continue. A decision is expected later this week.
"Michael really believed that the music lives on and I think that was a centerpiece to why the symphony ended up being as great as it is," Haswell said. "I think the will of the board is that we will move on, we will move forward. We want to continue to build on (Goodwin's) legacy."
By Kristen Drew, kdrew@news10.net
News10/KXTV