Vance Shelby Jennings' Obituary
Dr. Vance S. Jennings, age 96, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of South Florida, died on
February 9, 2022. Dr. Jennings had served the University as Professor of Clarinet and Music Literature, as Chairman of the Department of Music, as Assistant Dean of the College of Fine Arts, and as Director of Graduate Music Studies. He had joined the faculty in 1967 and was granted Professor Emeritus in 1991. Prior to his appointment at the University of South Florida, he had served on the faculty at Wichita (Kansas) State University and the University of Mississippi. He was the charter principal clarinetist of the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony (now the Florida Orchestra), and formerly the principal clarinetist with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
A native of Oklahoma City, Dr. Jennings first performed professionally with the Oklahoma City Symphony and with the G.I. Symphony while in the US Army during World War II. He was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, had a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi, and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He held a Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and a Diploma from the Conservatoire American, Fountainebleau, France. In recent years, Jennings was active in the popular music business and performed with many area bands, especially with the Melody Booth Orchestra, and most recently with the Blue Notes.
Dr. Jennings was active professionally as a recitalist, guest artist, guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator. He had authored more than thirty professional magazine articles and book chapters, held offices in national and state music organizations, including the Presidency of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and was the founding President of the Florida Association of Schools of Music. He was a member of many honorary and professional associations including Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Psi, and Scabbard and Blade. He was also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, York Rite Masonic Bodies, and was a Life member of the Reserve Officer Association and the National Rifle Association. He had been a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church and a former Special Deputy Hillsborough County Sheriff.
A veteran of World War II, Dr. Jennings had served with the 106th Infantry Division in Europe. He later served as an Artillery Officer in the National Guard of New York and Mississippi, and in the US Army Reserve. He was a graduate of the Field Artillery Advanced Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, and the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He later taught on the faculties of The Artillery School and the Command and General Staff College. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, US Army.
Dr. Jennings is survived by his former spouse, Julia, two daughters, Terri (Marcos), and Sherri, and four grandchildren, Chloe, Vance Julian, Georgina, and Lilly.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 N US Highway 301, Thonotosassa, FL. Sunset Funeral Home, Thonotosassa, FL is in charge of arrangements. Please share memories and condolences at www.sunsetmemory.com
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