Himie Voxman (September 17, 1912 – November 22, 2011)[1][2] was an American musician, teacher, university administrator, and composer known for producing many volumes of pedagogical compositions and literature for wind instruments.
Early life
editHimie Voxman was born in Centerville, Iowa, on September 17, 1912, to Morris Voxman and Mollie Tzipanuk Voxman. His parents were Jewish Ukrainian immigrants who immigrated to the United States three years before Himie was born. Voxman was the fourth of five children, with three older siblings who were born in Ukraine (which was then part of the Russian Empire). Until Voxman was in high school, spellings of the surname varied among family members, including Vocksman, Vakcman, and Vaksman.[3]
Education and career
editVoxman studied at the University of Iowa, receiving a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1933 and a master's degree in 1934. He became a faculty member at the university in 1939, and was director of the school of music from 1954 until his retirement in 1980.[4] The Voxman Music Building at the university was named in his honor in 1995.[4] Through his work, Voxman became one of the most well-known and respected music educators in the nation, with much of his work being published by Rubank, Inc.
Eugene Rousseau, the classical saxophonist, is one of his former students.
Affiliations and honors
editVoxman served on a number of associations and boards, including:
- Commission on Graduate Studies for the National Association of Schools of Music (Chairman)
- National Commission for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Welfare
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
- Academic Panel for cultural exchange projects for the United States Department of State
He also received many honors throughout his career, including citations from collegiate fraternities and honors societies including Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Mu Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Lambda, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Sigma Xi. Additionally, he received awards from the following organizations:
- Iowa Bandmaster's Association: Honorary Life Membership
- Iowa Music Educators Association: Distinguished Service Award
- The Bell System: Silver Baton
- Coe College: Honorary doctorate
- DePaul University: Doctor of Humane Letters
- Federation of State High School Music Associations: Award of Merit
- Missouri State High School Activities Association: Distinguished Service Award
- University of Iowa: Doctor of Humane Letters[5]
- National Federation of State High School Associations: Induction into the National High School Hall of Fame under the Fine Arts category.[6][7]
In 1984, he served as the woodwind judge for the final round of the Canadian National Competitive Festival of Music.
The University of Iowa School of Music's Voxman Building is named after Voxman.[8]
Death
editVoxman died on November 22, 2011, in Iowa City at the age of 99.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Himie Voxman, 99 [obituary]". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ "Longtime Iowa Music School Director Voxman Dies at 99". The Gazette. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
- ^ Michele Ann Bowen Hustedt, "The life and career of Himie Voxman" (dissertation, 2010). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 465. University of Iowa. OCLC 670512497.
- ^ a b "Himie Voxman: Longtime Friend and Donor" (PDF). Bindings. University of Iowa Libraries. Spring 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^ Rhatigan, Chris (2008-12-21). "Day of recognition". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
- ^ "Hurley, composer among prep Hall of Fame class". Associated Press. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
- ^ "Bob Hurley, David Clyde Headline 2009 National High School Hall of Fame Class" [press release]. National Federation of State High School Associations, 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ "Regents approve naming of Voxman Music Building". Iowa Now. December 4, 2013.
- ^ "Voxman: The man behind the building name". Iowa Now. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
External links
edit- Himie Voxman Research Archive Collection Guide - University of Iowa Libraries' Rita Benton Music Library.
- "Engineering graduate: clarinet LEGEND" by Anne Tanner, University of Iowa fyi Faculty & Staff News, Vol. 40, No. 2 (September 6, 2002).
- Himie Voxman - University of Iowa Alumni Association.
- Himie Voxman Interview at NAMM Oral History Library, 2009-04-07. Retrieved on 2009-09-02.