Delaware State University mourns the passing of Dr. Howard B. Brockington

Courtesy of Delaware State University

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

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 musican, 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 leadeship 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 encouraage 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.