VanderCook College of Music
Past Presidents
A History of VanderCook's Leadership
Kimberly Farris, 2024 – present
Roseanne K. Rosenthal, 2017 – 2024
Charles Menghini, 2004-2017
Roseanne K. Rosenthal, 1989-2004
James Gilworth, 1981-1989
Richard Brittain, 1975-1980
Hubert E. Nutt, 1966-1974
John H. Beckerman, 1950-1966
Kimberly Farris (2024-present)
With a successful career in both music education and administration, Kim Farris brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this role. As the Director of Admissions for VanderCook, her leadership has shaped the college’s recruitment efforts and fostered strong connections within the music education community. Her innovative strategies and creative marketing for the college have not only expanded VanderCook’s reach but also strengthened its reputation as a premier institution in the field.
Prior to joining VanderCook, Ms. Farris served as the Director of Performing Arts at Roosevelt and Robert Morris Universities, where she administered all facets of a comprehensive arts program, including instrumental music, choir, and theater. Her responsibilities included overseeing all department operations and systems in the areas of curriculum, scheduling, finance and budgets, marketing, branding, and program promotion, as well as leading efforts in recruitment, admissions, and advising.
Ms. Farris has 30 years of public school teaching experience. While in Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills CCSD 181, IL, she taught beginning band students at The Lane and Elm elementary schools. At Wilmette District 39 and Avoca District 37 (IL), she was responsible for directing the concert and jazz bands at Wilmette Junior High School and Marie Murphy Middle School, as well as beginning and second-year band students at Avoca West Elementary School. Ms. Farris also taught at Glenn Westlake Middle School in Lombard, IL, and in New Lenox School District 122, where she was responsible for conducting band, jazz band, and marching band for all students in grades 5-8. In addition, Ms. Farris instructed the summer music program at Maine Township High School District 207 and taught flute methods at Northwestern University. Bands under her direction have received numerous awards at festivals across Illinois and the Midwest, including Division I Superior ratings at all Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) organization contests. The Glenn Westlake Middle School Band made numerous appearances at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, including selection as the Junior Division Honor Band. The band was also invited to serve as a clinic band for the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
In addition to her leadership roles in higher education, Ms. Farris currently serves as District 7 Chairperson and Executive Board member for the Illinois Grade School Music Association. This organization provides high quality performance opportunities for students in the areas of vocal and instrumental music and offers professional support for directors in all areas of music education.
Ms. Farris is the recipient of numerous National Band Association Citations of Excellence, was awarded the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, and was elected to the Phi Beta Mu National Band Directors’ Honorary Fraternity. She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Illinois Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association.
Dr. Roseanne Rosenthal shares the excitement of the entire community as we begin a new chapter in the college’s storied history. “Kimberly Farris is the perfect person to lead VanderCook at this time and place in its history. She stands ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century with a clear-eyed vision for the future of the College. I am confident that she will bring VanderCook to the next step in its evolution as the quintessential, world-class college of music education.”
Roseanne K. Rosenthal (1989-2004, 2017-2024)
Dr. Rosenthal joined the VCM faculty in 1980. Upon accepting the position of president, she said “I’m very optimistic about a future for VCM.” Years later, she is able to state with confidence, “Our resources have never been better. The VanderCook circle of friends is committed. We have wonderful instructional resources, a great location, and a strong infrastructure. Our accreditations are established. Our financial condition is secure.”
Dr. Rosenthal previously served as president from 1989 to 2004 and has remained active on the faculty ever since. She currently teaches coursework in methods of music teaching, research, technology and education psychology; supervises student teachers; and coordinates graduate master’s projects for the College’s famed summer master’s degree program.
Dr. Rosenthal received her Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Fredonia, and Master of Science and Doctor of Education degrees from Syracuse University under the direction of Dr. Cornelia Yarbrough. She is the current chair of the Board of Directors of Ada S. McKinley Community Services and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Music Education. She is the former president of the Illinois Music Educators Association and former chair of the Music Education Research Council for the National Association for Music Education. Dr. Rosenthal previously served on the editorial board of the Journal for Research in Music Education and has published and presented research articles pertaining to music teacher education and music learning.
Charles T. Menghini (2004-2017)
Dr. Menghini became band director and Dean of the Undergraduate program at VanderCook in 1994. He became president in 2004 stating, “it will be my mission to make VanderCook graduates the best prepared candidates to lead our school band, choirs, orchestras and general music programs.”
James Gilworth (1981-1989)
Gilworth’s term spanned a difficult period of the College’s history in which many of the original faculty died or retired, competition from colleges offering a degree in music education increased, and state accreditation requirements forced changes in the College’s curriculum. His greatest success at the College was the expansion of the summer workshop program which allows music educators to return to school for practical training while earning graduate credit.
Richard Brittain (1975-1980)
His career at VCM spanned 52 years, beginning when he was a high school student attending Summer camp. He began teaching at the Chicago Boys Clubs, and ended up Full Professor at VCM, directing the Symphonic Concert Band, teaching woodwinds, theory, organization and giving private lessons on all instruments.
Hubert E. Nutt (1966-1974)
The “adopted son” of Hale VanderCook, H.E. was the person responsible for establishing the College’s 4-year curriculum in undergraduate music teacher education, and the 4-summer graduate curriculum. “H.E. never took a salary for his work and at one point donated over twenty thousand dollars from the sale of a farm he owned near Aurora, Illinois.” (from The Lives of Howard Raymond Lyons and H.E. Nutt, by G.R. Borich, p. 116)
John H. Beckerman (1950-1966)
B.S., Lewis Institute, B.M. Ed., VanderCook College of Music, and Ed. M, DePaul University. A veteran of World War II with the United States Navy, Mr. Beckerman served a total of 37 years in music and general education in the Chicago Public Schools, as well as at VanderCook College. He taught courses at VanderCook in Methods of Teaching Woodwinds, Double Reeds, Flute, Music History, and Principles of Guidance and Counseling.