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

edit

Himie 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

edit

Voxman 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

edit

Voxman served on a number of associations and boards, including:

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:

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

edit

Voxman died on November 22, 2011, in Iowa City at the age of 99.[9]

References

edit
  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. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Rhatigan, Chris (2008-12-21). "Day of recognition". Iowa City Press-Citizen. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved 2010-10-23.
  6. ^ "Hurley, composer among prep Hall of Fame class". Associated Press. 2009-03-05. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Regents approve naming of Voxman Music Building". Iowa Now. December 4, 2013.
  9. ^ "Voxman: The man behind the building name". Iowa Now. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2016-10-29.


edit