The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts and School of Music, together with the University of Nebraska Foundation, celebrated the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Earl “Pete” Jenkins as part of the University Singers concert on Oct. 15 in Kimball Recital Hall. Jenkins died Aug. 3, 2009.

“Pete Jenkins had a profound influence on my life, and I could recall that he influenced many other students in the same way,” said Pamela Schapp Hemann, ’70, president of Association Management Services Inc. in Pasadena, Calif., and chair of the organizing committee for the tribute.

“In both my music career and other later professional choices, his influence went beyond being an exceptional vocal coach,” Hemann said. “He taught life lessons in that studio and in conducting choral groups. He taught ethics, tenacity, discipline and what having a passion for something meant in one’s life. It was through University Singers that I discovered the joy and discipline of outstanding choral music. I also learned about excellence from Pete’s great passion for the ‘perfect’ choral music performance.”

As part of the tribute, alumni were invited to join the University Singers for the finale performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” More than 75 alumni participated.

“It was a special evening to be part of the tribute,” said Scott Root, ’71, ’79, who traveled from Virginia to participate. “It was just something I had to be part of. I thought the tribute was beautiful, and it was great to hear a bit of an opera rehearsal with [Professor] Bill Shomos.”

Jenkins earned a bachelor’s degree in education from NU in 1943, then served in World War II. He joined the Nebraska faculty as an instructor in 1949 and earned his master’s degree in music in 1952. In 1963, he was named professor of voice. Over the years, he directed thousands of students in vocal and choral ensembles, including the University Singers. He directed the first congregate choral performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in the Coliseum in 1959 and oversaw the opera program in the 1960s. Jenkins earned several honors during his career, including the Builders Award in 1975 and 1977, induction into the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1995, the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1978 and the alumni association’s Doc Elliott Award. He retired from the university in 1982.

“My main memories of Pete relate to the University Singers,” said Jeffrey D. Sayre, ’69, ’74, of Omaha, who was in University Singers from 1966-1969. “I was always very impressed with how Pete lived through his music as a director. He took everything we did seriously. He got the most out of his singers in each and every concert. I always tried to do the same when I became a high school choral director.”

Sayre said he was glad he could be a part of the tribute to Pete Jenkins.

“I was proud to be a part of the planning committee, and I thought the rehearsal and concert were wonderful,” he said. “The current University Singers and their fine director, Pete Eklund, are to be congratulated on their outstanding concert. Pete Jenkins would have enjoyed every moment of it.”

Hemann agreed.

“What was going through my mind when we were up on stage singing the Hallelujah Chorus was that Pete would have gotten such a kick out of it,” Hemann said. “And that no matter how far or how long we had traveled away from the university and our music life there as students, we could, indeed, come back home. I think we all knew at the time we were there that we were part of something very special with the University Singers, and we cherished the opportunity to recapture that experience."

"We didn’t all know one another, but we knew we shared an amazing bond of music, UNL and Pete. That held meaning for all of us – how powerful is that?!”

Because of his numerous contributions to the School of Music and his enduring legacy to his students and the alumni, the Earl “Pete” Jenkins University of Nebraska Choral Endowment Fund has been established through the University of Nebraska Foundation. This fund will enhance the choral music program in the School of Music for such programs as a choral composition commissioning, choral visiting scholars and choral music fellowships.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Pete Jenkins Endowment, please visit http://nufoundation.org/jenkinsendowment.

Written by Kathe Andersen