James Niblock

ABOUT

James Niblock retired from MSU in 1985. He joined the faculty in 1948 and led the then Department of Music from 1963 until his retirement in 1985. He served as Professor of Composition and Violin and was known as a prolific composer. He introduced the study of electronic music and jazz studies at MSU, created a Juilliard Quartet residency (for whom he arranged the MSU Fight Song), and expanded the music facilities with the construction of the Music Practice Building. Professor Niblock was a founding member of the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and served as the Camp board’s vice-president from 1966 until his death in 2018. He was both the oldest and the longest-serving member of the board. In his retirement from MSU, he continued his active musical life as composer, conductor, teacher, player of chamber music, and concert attendee. He and his late wife Helen were a highly-sought-after violin-viola duo and gave generously of their time and talent to the community. He began composing near the end of his four-year stint in the United States Army during the Second World War, after which he studied music composition with Roy Harris and Paul Hindemith. While at MSU, in addition to his administrative leadership and teaching, Professor Niblock performed in the Beaumont String Quartet and served as Concertmaster of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, he was honored at MSU with the first Distinguished Emeritus Faculty Award for his continuing work in fine arts education. Dr. Niblock passed away in 2018.