University News

Memorial Service Set for Collins

January 30, 2014

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MACOMB, IL - Western Illinois University Music Professor Emeritus Roger Collins, 72, passed away at his home in Macomb Saturday, Jan. 25.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Collins, a professor of horn in the WIU School of Music, retired in 1997 after 30 years of service. He was one of the founding members of the Camerata Woodwind Quintet, formed in 1966, and had been a member of the Denver, Quad Cities, Galesburg and Peoria symphonies. He had also been conductor of the WIU Symphony Orchestra and was one of the longest serving members of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, joining in 1966.

During his time with the Camerata Woodwind Quintet, Collins represented WIU at performances in Poland, Yugoslavia, Mexico and China and at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Collins had recorded music for Music Minus One and Coronet Records and had performed in Europe, Mexico, China and Japan.

After his retirement from WIU, Collins remained an active performer on the Faculty Chamber Music Series with the Camerata Woodwind Quintet, the Lamoine Brass Quintet and other faculty ensembles. In 2003, Collins peformed with WIU music Professor Randall Faust on the recording "Fantasies on American Themes – The Music of William Presser and Randall Faust."

Collins had served as a contributing artist, conductor and coach at the annual Western Illinois Horn Festival since 2002 and was honored by the festival in 2004 for his contributions to horn playing in the region.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Colorado State College, Collins received his master's degree in music from Indiana University.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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