Himie Voxman - Clarinet

Himie Voxman is recognized as one of the most influential American music educators of the last century. Although he was originally trained as a chemical engineer, he devoted his life to woodwind music and education. He joined the University of Iowa School of Music in 1939, and became Director in 1954, holding that position until his retirement in 1980. He is the author of numerous musical compilations, reviews and books and has many honours and awards. The Voxman Music Building at UI was named after him in 1995. In 2002, he was named a Lowell Mason Fellow by the National Association of Music Education. In his nomination, Herman Knoll stated that "During his tenure at the Iowa School of Music, more heads of schools of music and music department chairpersons were trained than at any other institution." 

Professor Voxman is now in his nineties, but is still an active teacher and plays first clarinet in the Iowa City Concert Band. Amazingly, at the age of 91, Professor Voxman just started using Légère synthetic clarinet reeds for playing, teaching and practice. He now uses both cane and Légère reeds, and said that "Sometimes, the Légère reeds are the best reeds I have. They are also great for teaching, since they don't dry out. I encourage all of my students to have a Légère reed in their in case." 

Professor Voxman supports the twin Légère slogans: 

An essential reed for your case. 

Ready to play when you are.