Released: July 26, 2011
Lincoln, Neb. - Dennis Schneider, Professor Emeritus of Trumpet at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has been selected to receive the International Trumpet Guild's (ITG) Award of Merit for 2012. His selection will be recognized by the ITG at the ITG Conference at Columbus State University in Georgia in May 2012.
The ITG Award of Merit is given to those individuals who have made substantial contributions to the art of trumpet playing through performance, teaching, publishing, research, composition and/or support of the goals of the ITG.
"Denny Schneider was a huge force in trumpet pedagogy regionally and nationally throughout his career in the UNL School of Music," said UNL School of Music Director John W. Richmond. "It is a great joy, but not a surprise, that the world's premier organization for professional trumpeters - the International Trumpet Guild - would recognize his career of distinguished accomplishments. We rejoice with Professor Emeritus Schneider and his entire family on this momentous occasion."
A graduate of Lincoln High School, Schneider received his Bachelor of Music Education from UNL in 1952 and his Master of Music in Education from Indiana University in 1958.
Schneider began teaching at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1961 as instructor of brass instruments after three years as band director in the Falls City, Neb., Public Schools. He was also principal trumpet and soloist for the Strategic Air Command Band for three years.
In addition to his teaching duties in the School of Music, Schneider maintained an active schedule as clinician, adjudicator and performer. At various times during his 36-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 Summer Brass Festival in Colorado.
Schneider was the recipient of UNL's Distinguished Teaching award on two occasions, from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine and Performing Arts, and was given the UNL Parent's Association and Teaching Council's Recognition Award for Contributions to Students multiple times. He received the Helen Haggie award as a part of the Mayor's Arts Awards for contributions to the performing arts in Lincoln in 1990.
Schneider retired from UNL in 1997 and lives in Lincoln.
In 1998 Schneider and his wife, Judith, made a generous contribution to the University of Nebraska Foundation that will establish the Professor Dennis Schneider Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for undergraduate students in the School of Music whose major instrument is trumpet.
The ITG was founded in 1974. Its more than 5,000 members represent 56 countries and include professional and amateur performers, teachers, students, manufacturers, publishers and others interested in belonging to an organization dedicated to the trumpet profession.