William R. Schmid, or Will, as he is generally known, earned his undergraduate degree cum laude from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1962. The next two years were spent teaching in the public schools of River Ralls, Wisconsin. He entered the Eastman School of Music, earning his master’s degree in 1965, and then returned to his native state of Minnesota to teach at Winona State College. After completing his Ph.D. at Eastman in 1971, Will assumed his present position on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.
As a guitarist and folk music specialist, Will has performed at hundreds of schools throughout the country. Since 1980 he has served as consultant editor of Fretted Instrument Publications for the Hal Leonard Publishing Company, editing over 100 new publications. He is also author-editor of an eight-volume high school choral textbook Something to Sing About.
Among Will’s many special projects was the television program “Swing Your Partner,” in which he served as both narrator and performer. This program was the cornerstone of the series Up to Your Ears, which received a National Award from the Central Educational Network. He also created and performed a 13-program series Folk Music Americana for National Public Radio.
Recognized frequently for meritorious service to music and music education, Will Schmid was elected President of the Music Educators National Conference, a wonderful opportunity for him to share his vision for music in America and to exercise his abundant leadership skills in helping to bring that vision to fruition.
We proudly recognize Will Schmid by conferring upon him the Alumni Achievement Award.
Rochester, New York
October 15, 1994