On December 22, 2017, Elkhart native Glenn Holtz retired as a member of the Board of Trustees of VanderCook College of Music.
Over his 25 years of service to the college, Holtz was pivotal in providing the strategic leadership that helped VanderCook attain national attention for its work in music education. To honor his work, the board presented Holtz with a plaque that reads, in part: “We thank you for your outstanding leadership during the college’s most challenging periods. You played a significant role in making VanderCook a better place for present and future generations of music educators.”
When presented the award Holtz commented, “It was an honor to be a member of the VanderCook College of Music Board of Trustees and to help this great college continue the legacy of graduating great music teachers.”
Although retiring from VanderCook’s board, Holtz plans to remain active as an ambassador for the college as it embarks upon a $5M comprehensive campaign to raise funds to create a performing arts center for the college. To date, $3.35M has been raised in gifts and pledges. “Glenn Holtz’s commitment and service to our college and our students is an important part of our history,” said Dr. Charles T. Menghini, President Emeritus at VanderCook.
Glenn Holtz spent his entire career in the music industry where he is widely admired for his vision and clear thinking. He began as a sales manager for Selmer, and served for 17 years as president of Gemeinhardt Flutes. In addition, he was an active member and supporter of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) and the National Association of School Music Dealers. He was a charter member of the Music Achievement Council and, as Gemeinhardt president, funded several studies that helped launch today’s music advocacy movement. He remains a familiar face at NAMM and the Midwest Clinic, where he often attended events with his wife, Mary.
Though known in professional circles for his work in the music industry, it may be his work in support of music education where Glenn Holtz made the biggest difference. In addition to his service to VanderCook, he served as a member and officer of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors for many years. Holtz was recognized for his commitment to the Midwest Clinic in 2014 when he received its Emeritus Award. He received the prestigious Hall of Fame Award from the National Association for Music Education for his work in the music industry. He is also known in the Elkhart region for serving as Chairman of the Elkhart Jazz Festival for 12 years.
Today, as a result of Holtz’s perseverance, VanderCook College of Music provides music education degrees and continuing education programs for over a thousand future and practicing music teachers every year. In addition, the college provides outreach educational programs that serve almost 5,000 children and adults annually. It is the only college in the nation exclusively dedicated to music teacher education. Holtz deserves immense credit for helping the college to achieve its current level of stature.
