|
Born: Aug. 11, 1922 - Roby, Texas, USA
Died: March 16, 2014 - Rogers, Arkansas, USA |
|
The American tenor and voice teacher, Ira Julius Schantzm, was born in Roby, Texas to Gustav L. Schantz and Gesena (Gruben) Schantz. Ira grew up going to and singing in church. He attended the Lubbock Public Schools. Ira served in the U.S. Army in World War II as a Technician in the Philippines (1942-1946), where he appeared regularly on many G.I. radio programs and as soloist for numerous Army-sponsored affairs. In 1950, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music dergree from North Texas State University.
From 1953 to 1955, Ira Schantz was a professional singer in New York City and member of the famous Robert Shaw Chorale. During his career, he was Instructor of Vocal Music at Texas Tech University (1950-1952 and 1955-1957), and Howard County Junior College (1957-1964). In 1964, he became Associate Professor of Voice in the Department of Music at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where he taught until his retirement in 1985. He also served as music director and regular soloist at various churches.
A specialist in oratorio, Ira Schantz was tenor soloist in practically all of the leading oratorios performed by leading choral groups, choral societies, opera companies, symphony orchestras, colleges, universities and churches throughout the USA and Europe. He enjoyed world travel, especially in the Orient, World War II history, reading about the lives of great composers and was a connoisseur of classical music. He loved every one of his voice students and was so very proud of their accomplishments and contributions in life.
Ira Schantz died on March 16, 2014 in his home in Rogers, Arkansas, aged 91. He was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Schantz of Lubbock; and two sisters, Gertrude Caplan of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Gladys Schantz or El Paso, Texas. He was survived by his unofficially adopted son and family, Alan E, Paula, Zachary and Jacob Johnson of Rogers, Ark.; nephew, Lamar Schantz of Conroe, Texas; nieces, Linda Hammack of Leavenworth, Kan., and Susan Garcia of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; two grand-nieces; and one grand-nephew. |
