Sherman Van Solkema, Jr.

Sherman Van Solkema, Jr. passed away on January 9, 2025 at the age of 94. Sherman was born on January 4, 1931 in Byron Center, Michigan, to Sherman Van Solkema, Sr. and Katherine (Alles) Van Solkema.

He attended Calvin College and the University of Michigan, where he received the M.Mus. and Ph.D. degrees in music. He was also a proud veteran of the United States Army, in which he served for two years and was honorably discharged. Sherman toured as a concert pianist in Europe, Brazil and the U.S. before continuing an academic career in New York City. As a musicologist, teacher, and administrator, Sherman was named emeritus professor at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York in 1995, where he taught for 33 years. From its founding, he served as a member of the doctoral faculty in music at the CUNY Graduate Center. He held various administrative positions, including terms as chair of the music department and as Vice President and Provost at Brooklyn College. From 1995 to 2001, he was chair of the music department at Grand Valley State University, where he led a major development of university music programs, expanding faculty and constructing new facilities.

His scholarly interests combined theory, analysis, and history of late 19th and 20th-century music, and he served as editor, author and co-author of numerous scholarly articles and books on music in these areas. Beginning in 2000, Sherman served eight years as a board member of the Gilmore Piano Festival, followed by eight years as a member of the artist selection committee. Among his honors are the Faculty Leadership Award for Distinguished Service to undergraduate education for establishing the outstanding core curriculum at Brooklyn College in 1981 and a Martha Baird Rockefeller Award. In 2005, the City University of New York awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Sherman’s life was a testament to the values of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity. He was an extraordinary gentleman who brought genuine kindness and brilliance into every room and innumerable family members, friends, colleagues and students will forever be impacted by his presence on this earth. 

Sherman is predeceased by his parents; first wife, Beth (Arnoys) Van Solkema in 2004; second wife, Judith (Kirsch) Van Solkema in 2019; and sisters, Shirley Boersma and Verna Van Solkema.

He is survived by his loving son Steven Van Solkema and daughter-in-law Jennifer; his grandson, Daxton; sisters, Phyllis Dykstra, Diane Denslow, and Patricia Brigance; stepdaughters, Debbie Moran (Larry), Cindy Trout, and Karen Trout; and many beloved nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Sherman’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12th at 11:00am at the First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo, 321 W South St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. 

Memorial contributions in Sherman’s name may be directed to the Gilmore Piano Festival Endowment Fund held at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation or to Doctors Without Borders. 

To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com.