Muskingum News

Watch the April 13 concert by visiting muskingum.edu/live.

Muskingum University will honor the life and legacy of one of its most illustrious alumni, John H. Glenn, Jr. ’43, in a pair of musical celebrations featuring faculty and students on Friday, April 13 in New Concord and Sunday, April 15 in Columbus. The program, entitled “O Beautiful for Heroes Proved,” will include the premiere of two new works, commissioned by the University and inspired by Glenn’s life. Admission is free and open to the public.

“John and Annie Glenn have had a profound and lasting impact on Muskingum University over the years. Their lives and legacies continue to serve as significant sources of inspiration for our faculty, staff and students,” said Muskingum University President Susan S. Hasseler. “These performances, centered on themes of exploration, service and citizenship, celebrate the Glenns’ life-long commitment to serving others, and demonstrate our deepest appreciation for their devotion to Muskingum.”

Both concerts will feature performances by Muskingum University’s Wind Ensemble, and Concert Choir. The Wind Ensemble will premiere “Godspeed, John Glenn” by Ryan Nowlin, composer and assistant conductor of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. The Concert Choir will premiere “A Memory of Wonder” by Muskingum University Associate Professor of Music Dr. Zebulon M. Highben, based on texts by Professor of English Dr. Jane Varley and Associate Professor of English Dr. Vivian Wagner.

“When Muskingum University commissioned me to write a choral composition in memory of John Glenn, I turned to my colleagues in Muskingum's Department of English and asked if they would write some verses about Glenn's life and work. Both responded with vivid, imaginative descriptions of the myriad wonders visible to Glenn during his landmark spaceflight,” said Highben. “Wagner's poem included a quote from John Glenn, which reminded me of a contrasting quote from the English writer, poet and theologian G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936). These two quotations became the bookends for the poetry, which is a composite of Varley's and Wagner's work. The music of ‘A Memory of Wonder’ uses a variety of compositional text-painting techniques to highlight the rich imagery of the poem.”

Glenn, a native of New Concord and a member of the Muskingum University Class of 1943, served his country as a Marine Corps pilot, astronaut and U.S. Senator. During World War II, he flew 59 combat missions in the Marshall Islands, and in 1962 became the first American to orbit Earth. Glenn and his wife, Annie Castor Glenn ’42, served as longtime members of Muskingum’s Board of Trustees and as distinguished alumni faculty.

“From his humble birth in Ohio, to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery, John Glenn led a life almost too fantastic to believe. Any one of his accomplishments would be admirable on its own; taken together they outline a truly exceptional story,” said Nowlin, composer of new work “Godspeed, John Glenn.” “For this composition, I drew from all aspects of Glenn’s life. While there are cinematic moments reflecting on his adventures, the piece remains grounded in his humility; his partnership with his wife; and his steadfast love and commitment to his family, his country and his faith.”

The New Concord performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13 at the University’s Brown Chapel, and the Columbus performance at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 at the First Community Church’s North Campus, 3777 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43221.

For more information about the musical celebrations honoring John Glenn, please call the Muskingum University Department of Music at 740-826-8095. For information about the music program at Muskingum, visit muskingum.edu/music. If you cannot attend, the concert will be live-streamed. Visit muskingum.edu/live at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13.