Himie Voxman

Himie Voxman (17 September 1912 – 22 November 2011)[1][2] was an American musician, influential music pedagogue, administrator at the university level, and composer who produced volumes of compositions and pedagogical literature for wind instruments.

Higher education and career as a collegiate academician

Born in Centerville, Iowa,[3] Voxman studied at the University of Iowa, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1933 in chemical engineering 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. Eugene Rousseau, the classical saxophonist, is one of his former students. Much of his music was published by Rubank, Inc.

Affiliations and honors

Voxman had served as Chairman of the Commission on Graduate Studies for the National Association of Schools of Music. He also served on the National Commission for Accreditation of Teacher Education and Welfare, on North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, as a field reader for music projects, on the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and as a member of the Academic Panel for cultural exchange projects for the United States Department of State. He received citations and awards from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Mu Phi Epsilon, Pi Kappa Lambda, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Sigma Xi, and also received class honors. The Iowa Bandmaster's Association presented him an Honorary Life Membership, and the Iowa Music Educators Association its Distinguished Service Award. The Bell System awarded him its Silver Baton, and he holds the Honorary Degree of Doctor from Coe College and a Doctor of Humane Letters from DePaul University. In 1984 he was the woodwind judge for the finals of the Canadian National Competitive Festival of Music. He has received the Award of Merit from the Federation of State High School Music Associations and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

On December 20, 2008, Voxman received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Iowa.[5]

On July 1, 2009, he was inducted into the Fine Arts category of the National Federation of State High School Associations' National High School Hall of Fame.[6][7]

On December 4, 2013 the University of Iowa regents voted to name the University's to-be-completed music building in honor of Himie.[8]

Family

Voxman was born in 1912 to Jewish Ukrainian parents, Morris Voxman (b. 1879 Chernigov, Ukraine; d. 1912 Centerville, Iowa) and Mollie Voxman (b. 1878 Kiev, Ukraine; d. 1943 Chicago), née Tzipanuk, three years after they immigrated to the United States. Until Himie was in high school, spellings of the surname varied among family members, including Vocksman, Vakcman, and Vaksman.[3][9]

Death

Voxman died in 2011 in Iowa City, Iowa.[2] He was 99 years old.[10]

References
  1. "Himie Voxman, 99 [obituary]". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 2011-11-28. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  2. "Longtime Iowa Music School Director Voxman Dies at 99". The Gazette. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2011-12-07.
  3. Michele Ann Bowen Hustedt, "The life and career of Himie Voxman" (dissertation, 2010). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 465. University of Iowa. OCLC 670512497.
  4. "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.
  5. Rhatigan, Chris (2008-12-21). "Day of recognition". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
  6. "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.
  7. "Hurley, composer among prep Hall of Fame class". Associated Press. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  8. "Regents approve naming of Voxman Music Building". Iowa Now. December 4, 2013.
  9. Morris Voxman www.findagrave.com
  10. "Voxman: The man behind the building name". Iowa Now. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2016-10-29.


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