Muskingum News

On April 19 at 3:00 p.m. in Brown Chapel, the Muskingum University Department of Music will present a special concert titled “Godspeed, John Glenn,” commemorating the 10th anniversary of the passing of one of Muskingum’s most distinguished alumni and one of the most iconic figures in American space exploration and public service. The concert is free and open to the public and will feature the Muskingum Wind Ensemble and the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds under the direction of Dr. David Turrill, Associate Professor of Music.  

The program honors Glenn’s remarkable life of service to God, family, and country, celebrating the legacy of a man whose journey from New Concord, Ohio, to the global stage of space exploration and public service continues to inspire generations. As Glenn once reflected on his roots in southeastern Ohio, “If you get your start here, you can go anywhere.”  

A Musical Portrait of John Glenn 

The centerpiece of the program is “Godspeed, John Glenn,” a work composed by Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Nowlin, Director of The President’s Own United States Marine Band. The piece was commissioned by Muskingum University in 2017 and premiered in 2018 to honor Glenn’s legacy.  

Nowlin, an Ohio native and Marine musician, drew inspiration from Glenn’s memoir and from defining moments of his life. The composition blends elements of military tradition, space exploration, and Glenn’s small-town Ohio upbringing, creating a sweeping musical narrative of his life’s journey. 

Several deeply personal musical elements shape the work: 

• Trumpet solos recall Glenn’s own experience playing trumpet and a cherished memory of performing Taps with his father. 

• A trumpet and trombone duet symbolizes the lifelong partnership between John and Annie Glenn, who herself played trombone. 

• The hymn “Be Still, My Soul,” performed at Annie Glenn’s organ recital in Brown Chapel on December 7, 1941—the day of the Pearl Harbor attack—is woven into the music. It was after hearing the news that day that Glenn decided to enlist in service to his country. 

• Moments of chamber-like writing throughout the work represent Glenn’s deep commitment to family. 

• Energetic passages evoke the excitement of flight and space exploration, reflecting Glenn’s career as a Marine fighter pilot and NASA astronaut.  

The work culminates in a powerful and joyful statement of the hymn, symbolizing faith, perseverance, and the enduring impact of Glenn’s life. 

A Program that Honors Service and Leadership  

The rest of the program includes a diverse selection of music reflecting themes central to Glenn’s life—military service, patriotism, space exploration, and the spirit of small-town America. The program features works by composers including Robert Jager, Frank Ticheli, Adrian B. Sims, Philip Sparke, and John Philip Sousa.  

The concert also highlights the collaborative spirit of the Muskingum music community. In addition to Dr. Turrill conducting, the performance will feature student conductor Keeley Carter, a junior music education major, and guest conductor Eric Shields, a member of the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds and a U.S. military veteran. A reading from John Glenn’s memoir will also be included, offering the audience Glenn’s own reflections on his strong connection to his family and life in New Concord. 

John Glenn’s connection to Muskingum extended far beyond his student years. He later served as a trustee of the university for nearly 50 years and continued to champion education and public service throughout his life, including founding the John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, which eventually evolved into the School of Public Affairs, and finally the College of Public Affairs, at The Ohio State University.  

A Legacy that Continues to Inspire 

Through music, storytelling, and reflection, “Godspeed, John Glenn” celebrates a legacy that began in southeastern Ohio but reached the stars. The concert invites alumni, students, and community members alike to remember a Muskingum graduate whose courage, humility, and service left an enduring mark on history.