Jane Little, Guinness World Record Holder For Longest Orchestra Tenure, Dies After Collapsing On Stage

Jane Little, a bassist who earned the Guinness World Record for the longest tenure with an orchestra, died on Sunday night after collapsing on stage during an earlier performance.

Jane Little Dies At Age 87

Little joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at 16 years old after studying bass in high school for two years.

She was also a charter member of the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra in 1945.

“We can truly say that Jane Little was fortunate to do what she loved until the very end of her storied life and career,” the ASO said in a statement.

“The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra was truly blessed to have Jane as part of our family for the past 71 years and we all miss her passion, vitality, spirit and incredible talent,” the orchestra added.

Little received the record in February and battled through health problems until her end.

“It truly is unbelievable and fitting that she spent her last day at her home on the stage at Symphony Hall,” Tammy Hawk, a spokeswoman for the orchestra, told CNN.

She was married to the orchestra’s principal flautist, Warren Little, for 41 years before he passed away.