Nilo Hovey Explained

Nilo W. Hovey (September 22, 1906 – March 14, 1986) was a clarinetist, composer, conductor, music educator, and author of many musical instrument method books.[1]

Early life

Nilo Wellington Hovey was born in Iowa on September 22, 1906, to Leroy Dana and Lois Graham Hovey. Raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Hovey participated in the Cedar Falls Municipal Band, initially on saxophone, but eventually on most of the reed instruments, and attended Iowa State Teacher's College (now the University of Northern Iowa).

Career

During Hovey's tenure as Director of Instrumental Music in the public schools of Hammond, Indiana (1926–44), he wrote his first instructional book, a method book for clarinet titled Rubank Elementary Method: Clarinet.[2]

Among the bands he directed in Hammond were the Hammond Technical High School band and the George Rogers Clark High School band, both of which received accolades under his direction.

In 1944, Mr. Hovey began a position as director of the Concert Band and Chairman of the Music Education department at the Arthur Jordan College of Music at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.[3] [4] [5]

Mr. Hovey started working for the Selmer Company in 1957 as the education director in Elkhart, Indiana and remained there for the next 18 years and received many awards and accolades.

Hovey served as the president of the Music Industry Council from 1962 to 1964, as well as the president of the American Bandmaster's Association from 1970 to 1971. He was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu and the Canadian Bandmasters Association.[6] Before his death, Hovey continued to direct numerous bands and ensembles and wrote or edited many music instruction books and methods which are still in use today.[7] Hovey was also inducted into the National Band Association's Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors shortly before his death in March, 1986.[1]

Personal life

Hovey married Ruth Emily Sinden from Maquoketa, Iowa in December 1927, whom he met while a student at Iowa State Teachers College.[1] After her death in 1978, Hovey married Helen Gowdy in 1979.[7] Hovey had two daughters by the previous marriage.Hovey died on March 14, 1986.[1]

List of works

Books

Chamber Compositions

Notes and References

  1. Victor William Zajec. "33. Nilo W. Hovey, President 1970", American Bandmasters Association. Retrieved on 25 February 2015.
  2. http://nationalbandassociationhalloffame.org/directory/Hovey.php "Nilo W. Hovey, Induction: February 8, 1986"
  3. Krivin, Martin. A century of wind instrument manufacturing in the United States, 1860-1960. State University of Iowa, 1961, p.167
  4. Kansas Music Review, Volumes 27-29. 1965
  5. Boyer, D. Royce, and Philip James. The World War I Army Bandsman: A Diary Account by Philip James. American Music, 1996, pp.185-204.
  6. Selmer Teacher's Guide to the Clarinet
  7. http://www.indianabandmasters.org/PhiBetaMu/Hovey.Nilo.pdf "Nilo W. Hovey"
  8. http://www.sheetmusicplus.com "Sheet Music Plus"