Top Banner for John P. Boyd Obituary
John P. Boyd Obituary

Brought to you by DeBaun Funeral Homes & Crematory

John P. Boyd

Terre Haute, IN

September 22, 1944 - May 22, 2020

John P. Boyd Obituary

Dr. John Pretz Boyd passed away May 22, 2020 at Harrison's Crossing.  He was born September 22, 1944 in Kansas City, MO to Verne Wendell & Nellie Pretz Boyd.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 47 years DeeAnn Boyd (dec. May 30, 2015).

John graduated from Manhattan High School (KS). Received bachelor of music education and masters of music from Northwestern University (IL) and a doctorate of musical arts from University of Missouri- Kansas City.

His major studying was with John Paynter, Bernard Rubenstein, and Crawford Gates.

He aught at Northern Illinois University, Wichita State University, Kent State University, University of Arizona, and Indiana State University. 
At ISU he was director of bands, professor of music, and coordinator of the wind/percussion division for 21 years, retiring in 2010 professor emeritus.

His bands performed at numerous state, regional, and national MENC conferences.  His wind ensemble toured Tajimi, Japan in 2001 as a cultural exchange with Terre Haute’s sister city.

Locally, he conducted the TH Youth Orchestra for a few years in early 1990’s, and guest conducted with the TH Symphony, the TH Community Band, and the Brazil (IN) Community band.

He established a professional wind orchestra “Philharmonia a Vent” which performed and recorded CDs on the “Elf” label in cooperation with Frederick Fennell and Elizabeth Ludwig Fennell.

During the 2006-07 academic year, he was visiting professor and the first conductor of the Conservatory Winds at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore.

He was a conductor/clinician throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

He conducted the Philharmonic Winds of Singapore, the Central Conservatory of Beijing, and Guangzhou Conservatory China, military band of the PLA in Beijing, China, Osaka Philharmonic Winds, Japan, Taiwan wind ensemble, and Taiwan military band.

He conducted the United States Army Band of Washington, DC, (Pershing’s Own) twice, the United States Army Field Band, and conducted/lectured three times at the Royal Northern College of Music at Manchester in the United Kingdom, and at three WASBE International Conferences.

He recorded seven CDs to high acclaim and arranged or composed hundreds of compositions for bands that are still widely played today.

He was a member of the American Bandmasters Assoc, Indiana Bandmasters Assoc, MENC/IMEA, College Band Directors National Assoc, National Band Assoc, WASBE, Phi Kappa Lambda and Phi Beta Mu.  He served on the board of directors for the Conductors Guild.

John is survived by his sister Martha Boyd & spouse Sandy Schermerhorn of Kansas City, MO, daughter Joleen Lundin & husband Carl of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Kimberly Henson & husband James of Mount Pleasant, SC, and son John A. Boyd & wife Melissa of Terre Haute, IN, and Grandchildren Gabriel & Gideon Lundin, Brendan & Amber Henson, Alex (Cantrell) Boyd & fiancé Caedyn Abner, Broderic & Carter Boyd

Donations in lieu of flowers to:  John P Boyd Scholarship #23009 at ISU Foundation, 30 N 5th St, Terre Haute, IN, 47809 or at www.indstate.edu/give; or to Northwestern University (School of Music designation) at Northwestern University Alumni Relations & Development, Attn: Gift Processing, 1201 Davis St, Evanston, IL, 60208 or www.wewill.northwestern.edu

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 17,2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at DeBaun Springhill Chapel.  Per the family's request masks must be worn.

Following cremation John will buried in the Boyd family plot in Blue Rapids, KS

Online condolences may be made to www.debaunfuneralhomes.com.

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of John P. Boyd hosted by DeBaun Funeral Homes & Crematory.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of John P. Boyd.