University mourns the passing of Dr. Howard B. Brockington

In honor of Dr. Howard B. Brockington, longtime Chair of the Department of Music Education at Delaware State College, the University celebrates in contribution to the institution through the following tribute. Following that, there is a reflection written by Dr. Yvonne Pigler Johnson, a retired music faculty member who worked under Dr. Brockington.

A Delaware State University Tribute to Dr. Howard Burnell Brockington

Delaware State University extends this tribute in honor of Dr. Howard Burnell Brockington, a longtime Chair of the institution’s Department of Music Education, who passed away on April 7, 2022.

WHEREAS Dr. Brockington was born on Oct. 21, 1922 in Lansing, Michigan, where he would hone his musical skills as a member of the Lansing High School band and orchestra. Following his 1941 graduation, he traveled the country as a musician, playing trumpet and piano with various big bands and jazz groups.

WHEREAS he was drafted into the military in 1943, and when the war ended he was assigned to be the leader of a band that toured Okinawa, Japan. Upon his 1946 honorable discharge, he used his G.I. Bill education benefits well by enrolling in then-Michigan State College, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music. He later earned a Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Iowa in 1963.

WHEREAS after serving on the music faculty at several HBCUs, including Wilberforce College, Knoxville College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Dr. Brockington planted his music stand at Delaware State College, where he was hired as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Music, an appointment by then-President Luna I. Mishoe. By 1971, Dr. Brockington was elevated to full Professor of Music.

WHEREAS Dr. Brockington went on to become the longest serving Chair of the Department of Music in the history of Delaware State University – 26 years from 1964-1990. He served an additional year as a full-time faculty member until his retirement in 1991; afterward he returned to teach music theory as an adjunct professor from 1997-2004.

WHEREAS during his tenure as the Department Chair, Dr. Brockington elevated the quality of music education through the hiring of faculty of music excellence such as Ivory Brock, Dr. Yvonne Pigler Johnson, LaPoint Davis, and many others. He also connected the College and the Department of Music with the at-large Delaware community and beyond through public concerts (often free) of established classical and jazz artists – including the first-ever opera presented at Delaware State College, Amahl and the Night Visitors by Menotti.

WHEREAS under his leadership he further connected the College with its surrounding community as the Department of Music presented the production Messiah that joined together Delaware State University musicians and singers with other community performers along with the Harlem Festival Orchestra, which became a traditional Christmas event that was always much anticipated and well-attended.

WHEREAS in the intervening year between the end of his full-time teaching days and his passing, Dr. Brockington remained connected to Delaware State University by performing with a faculty jazz combo at campus events. He could be frequently found eating lunch at the Village Café on campus where current music faculty were able to get to know this notable figure in the music history of the University.

THEREFORE, BE IT FULLY KNOWN that while deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Howard B. Brockington, the Delaware State University family fully celebrates the life he led and gives unending thanks for his 26-year leadership of its Music Program and 34 years of music instruction. His priceless contributions led to the Department of Music’s remarkable growth in academic quality and served to inspire and encourage generations of Delaware State University students to earn music performance and music education degrees and to go on to enrich the world with the talents he helped to cultivate.

BE IT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED that his family has established the Dr. Howard Brockington Scholarship Fund at Delaware State University in his honor to continue to advance his lifelong work in music education.

Tony Allen, Ph.D., President

                                                  REFLECTIONS

                                                (April 23, 2022)

To: Howard Brockington ll , Kelvin Brockington, Jason Brockington, Debra Brockington Mosley, and granddaughter, Elaniece Brockington

From: Dr. Yvonne Pigler Johnson

 In 1971, I had a brief telephone interview with Dr. Howard Brockington, in which he invited me to visit Delaware State College, and meet the Administration, and members of the Music department.

Since I didn’t have a car, Dr. Brockington suggested that I take the Greyhound bus, and ask the driver to let me off at the college. When the driver announced “Delaware State College,” I thought, surely he must be mistaken, because all I could see were wide open fields, and no signs of a college anywhere! Never-the-less, I walked straight ahead, & what finally emerged was “Delaware Hall.”

Walking into Delaware Hall, and meeting Dr. Brockington for the first time, changed the course of my life forever. He once told me, “There are only two things in life: “the decisions you make, and the way you spend your time.” He was absolutely right! Dr. Brockington gave me an opportunity to apply everything that I had learned in undergraduate and graduate school, into practice. Over the years, he assigned me to be Choir Director, teach Methods & Materials, teach class piano, teach strings, and Introduction to Music. In addition, he encouraged me to take the choir on Spring Tours to venues including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Orleans, and Montreal, Canada.

One evening, I heard some beautiful piano ballads and jazz music streaming down the halls of Delaware Hall. I inquired about the music and was told that it was Dr. Brockington playing the piano. Brock was versatile, and often played gigs at the local clubs in town.

Dr. Brockington always looked serious, but had a dry wit, & could really enjoy a good joke or story that would give him a hardy laugh. In addition to everything else, Brock was “at home on the range,” and could really cook. When I commented about it, he said, “Well… I did what I had to do.”

Brock had an excellent command of the English language. He was a wordsmith and a perfectionist. Before writing anything of great importance, I would often check with him to make sure that the grammar, punctuation and sentence structure were correct.

Under the leadership of Dr. Brockington, the Music Department presented its first Opera, “Amahl & The Night Visitors” by Menotti. He also enabled the department to grow by making “Messiah” production, accompanied by the Harlem Festival Orchestra, a traditional Christmas event at Delaware State University.

His friendship, conversations, encouragement, and positive attitude will be greatly missed and cherished. I sincerely thank him for all that he did to enrich my life.

May his memory be a blessing for all who knew and loved him.

                                              With Love and Gratitude,

                                               Dr. Yvonne Pigler Johnson

                                                                And

                                                      Canadian Family