Gifts in Action - The Morgans

MEET THE MORGANS

Robert Morgan received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1974 and went on to train young musicians as director of jazz studies at Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA). Under him, the HSPVA jazz program gained an international reputation as a model for successful training of aspiring musicians. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Morgan has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the 2003 University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award. He now continues an active career as a pianist, composer/arranger and clinician and serves on the Board of Directors of HSPVA.

Helen Sanford Morgan attended Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston and retired from her career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1991. She now concentrates on various volunteer activities, principally in support of Hospice at the Texas Medical Center and on activities related to fine art photography, which she collects.

HOW AND WHY THEY GAVE

Robert and Helen Morgan of Houston established a jazz scholarship in honor of John Garvey, former School of Music professor. Professor Emeritus John Garvey was a member of the music faculty from 1948 to 1991 and Robert Morgan considers him one of his primary mentors. Among John Garvey’s most notable accomplishments was the founding of the Jazz Band which won major competitions, including the Collegiate Jazz Festival in 1964, 1967-1968 and 1969. Under the auspices of the Department of State, the Jazz Band toured widely, including performances in Europe and Russia. the Southwestern Bell Foundation matched all of the Morgans’ contributions to establish the John Garvey Scholarship in Jazz Studies. The jazz scholarship recognizes an outstanding student pursuing jazz studies.

Story courtesy Urbana-Champaign School of Music.