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The American tenor and choral conductor, Glen Rosholt Lockery, was born to the Glen Burr and Mabel (Rosholt) Lockery. He had lived in the Moscow area since 1947, coming from Rosholt. He received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from Lawrence University, Appleton. He earned a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education degrees from Columbia University. He also did additional course work at Columbia and Julliard School of Music in New York.
During World War II Glen Lockery attended the U.S. Navy Midshipman's School at the University of Notre Dame. As Lieutenant J.G., he then served in Africa and Algeria and took part in the invasion of Salerno, Italy, before being stationed in England. During that time he worked in the correspondence office, handling vital communications for the U.S. Naval Forces. He later received a Letter of Commendation from the Navy for his role in the successful accomplishment of the Invasion of Europe on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
After returning home Glen Lockery lived in New York City, where he became involved with Robert Shaw and the group that would eventually become the Robert Shaw Chorale.
In 1947, Glen Lockery was hired by the University of Idaho to teach voice and to be the conductor of the Vandaleers, the University's Concert Choir. He held this position 34 years until his retirement in 1981. Under his direction the Vandaleers became known as one of the premier choral organizations in Idaho. The choir appeared on national radio networks, television shows, and undertook state, regional, and international tours to Europe in 1971, and Latin America in 1975, in addition to concerts given locally. In May, 1989, as part of the UI centennial celebration, he was honored by the Vandaleers during a reunion of past and present members of the choir. In association with this honor, he was commended on the floor of the U.S. Senate on April 18, 1989, and the commendation is part of the U.S. Congressional Record. He was a member if IMEA/MENC, Pi Kappa Lamba, Phi Mu Alpha, and of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. In 2008, he was inducted into the Idaho Music Educators Hall of Fame.
While living in Idaho, Glen Lockery maintained a strong devotion to his roots in Rosholt. Having built a cottage there, he enjoyed summers at the lake amid the chaos of visits from family members whom he always welcomed to the cottage. At the same time, he lovingly cared for the Rosholt family home, which had been continuously occupied by family members since being built by his grandfather, John Gilbert Rosholt, in 1906. Through his untiring efforts, he was successful in having the home placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. In addition to all his other accomplishments, he was an excellent woodworker and carpenter as well as an avid outdoorsman, golfer, and Bridge player. He was a member of Paradise Masonic Lodge #17 in Moscow, the Scottish Rite, the Calam Shriners, and the Latah County Shrine Club.
Glen Lockery died on December 21, 2011, at the age of 93, in Gritman Medical Center, Moscow, Idaho. He was survived by a brother, Milton Lockery, of LaGrange Park, Ill.; nieces, Dona (Michael) Sheehan, Kristin (Spartaco) Casini, Joni (Larry) Ambler, Barbara (Ralph) Keller, Sarah (Worthington) Blum; and by nephews, Gifford (Nancy) Torbenson, David (Anne) Lockery, and Christopher (Chris) Lockery. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald J. Lockery, and a sister, Thelma "Sally" R. Torbenson. |
