Music faculty member ends teaching career with special concert

May 17, 2022 (Volume 45, Number 17)
Article by Peg West

Henry Duitman conducts musicians seated before him in a church

Henry Duitman speaks into a microphone. Musicians seated behind him and an alter filled with candles and flowers

Henry Duitman conducts a special concert of the GVSU Symphony Orchestra at Park Church in Grand Rapids.

Photo Credit: courtesy of Bridgett Vanderhoof

Henry Duitman, retired associate professor and conductor of the GVSU Symphony Orchestra, closed out his GVSU and teaching career with a special concert in April at Park Church in downtown Grand Rapids.

The concert, which showcased music from well-known operas, featured soprano Ashly Neumann, '08, and tenor Min Jin, who served on GVSU's faculty from 2010-2016.

Duitman, who joined GVSU in 2008, called it a "joy to work again with two outstanding singers with whom I have collaborated in the past." Duitman joined Grand Valley's faculty in 2008.

The University Arts Chorale, conducted by Kody Wallace, was also part of the performance.