In memoriam: Dennis Schneider (1931-2016)
ITG Award of Merit recipient Dennis Schneider served as professor of trumpet at University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1961-1997.
A Nebraska native, Schneider received his bachelor of music education from the University of Nebraska in 1952. From there he joined the United States Air Force 702nd Air Force Band (Strategic Air Command Band) at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska, as principal trumpet and soloist, where he remained until 1956. After his time with the Air Force, he earned his master of music degree from Indiana University in 1958. He returned to Nebraska and taught as the band director in the Falls City Public Schools for three years.
He joined the University of Nebraska faculty in 1961 as instructor of brass. The list of his students who have gone onto notable careers in music is long. Some of his former students include Tim Andersen, co-principal trumpet of the Dallas Wind Symphony and founding member of the Dallas Brass; Michael Anderson, professor of trumpet at Oklahoma City University; Allan Cox, former professor of trumpet at the University of Southern Mississippi and professor of trumpet at Vanderbilt University; Steven Erickson, former principal trumpet of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra; Laurie Frink, freelance trumpet player in New York City and renowned brass pedagogue; David Hickman, international soloist and Regents professor of trumpet at Arizona State University; Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs at the University of Michigan; Grant Peters, professor of trumpet at Missouri State University; and Alan Wenger, professor of trumpet the University of Central Missouri.
In addition to his duties at the university, Schneider maintained an active schedule as clinician, adjudicator and performer. At various times during his year career at UNL, he was also principal trumpet of the Omaha Symphony, Opera Omaha, the Cabrillo Summer Festival Orchestra in California and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. He was a frequent performer as utility trumpet with the St. Louis Symphony and was principal trumpet with the Lincoln Orchestra Association. He was also a performer and recording artist with the Summit Brass at the Keystone Brass Institute in Colorado.
Schneider was the recipient of University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Distinguished Teaching award on two occasions, from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine and Performing Arts. He received the UNL Parents' Association and Teaching Council’s Recognition Award for Contributions to Students multiple times. In 1990 he received the Helen Haggie award as a part of the Mayor’s Arts Awards for contributions to the performing arts in Lincoln. In 2012, Schneider received the International Trumpet Guild's Award of Merit.
Source: Louie Eckhardt dissertation, Michael Anderson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln website
Photo source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln website