John C. Krell, 84, who played flute and solo piccolo in the Philadelphia Orchestra for 30 years, died of a heart attack Sun. Jan. 10, 1999. Born in Saginaw, MI, Mr. Krell graduated from the Univ. of Michigan in 1937 and studied flute at the Curtis Inst. of Music with the late William Kincaid, then principal flutist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He was a member of the American Youth Symphony from 1941 under Stokowski. He played flute in the National Symphony Orch. in Washington from1947-1951 and joined the Phila. Orchestra in February 1952. He retired in 1981.

Mr. Krell was an instructor of flute at the Curtis Institute of Music, The Philadelphia Musical Academy, Temple University, and the Settlement Music School.

His published works include 20th Century Orchestra Studies for Flute (G. Schirmer), and Kincaidiana:A Flute Player's Notebook (1973), about the work and technique of his teacher, William Kincaid. A revised and expanded edition of the book was published in 1996 by the NFA.

Mr. Krell received the Citation of Merit from the University of Michigan, the C. Hartman Kuhn Award, given by the Philadelphia Orchestra for outstanding service, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Flute Association in 1995.