 "Photo: Ryan Hutton")
While the majority of students and faculty smile when they see him around campus in his unique sweaters-many of which were gifts from his mother, friends and students-and affectionately refer to him simply as "Art," a glimpse of his true accomplishments can be seen through his proper title of "Sergeant Major Arthur Himmelberger." Prior to becoming the Director of the Music Department, he earned his bachelor's degree in music from the University of Michigan, a Master of Education with an Administrative Certificate from Temple University and the "Legion of Merit" medal for 26 years of commendable service as a member of US Military Bands in Washington DC, West Point, and Berlin, Germany.
Himmelberger's teaching repertoire includes stints at University of Michigan, Dominican College, University of Albany, and West Point; but he considers about one-third of his life's work to have been the development of Marist's music program.
When he agreed to help out in 1986, there was no real band; and only two students-both trumpet players-volunteered for the first band event, a basketball game against Fordham University at Madison Square Garden. Himmelberger accompanied them on a drum set. Though faced with a dismal turnout and seemingly little interest, he was determined.
Himmelberger's dedication to the music program is evident to all who interact with him; Rob Hom, freshman percussionist, says, "He is very very passionate with his work for the band and always [brings] out the best in us." What Himmelberger likes most about Marist is the brand of young adult that comes here; he believes that he's been blessed with great students.
Marist has also been blessed with a great Music Director, deserving of fanfare equal to that which he conducts at all of Marist's sports events combined. Khalid Barnes, sophomore clarinetist claims, "He is the most amazing faculty member on campus and I love him."
Under Himmelberger's leadership, band membership has grown from two in 1986, to 350 in 2007, to its current count at 450; while the choir has increased from 140 in 2007 to 220 today. Included in his job description is the guiding of the entire music program, and primary directing of the marching, pep, wind symphony, and symphonic bands. Himmelberger also teaches music history courses while supervising 15 adjunct faculty members as they help instruct the 55 sections of music courses offered here. His position here is all-encompassing and he has great-though not enough-help, as they all perform herculean tasks on a regular basis and work very long days. Himmelberger's intention has always been to provide music for as many college functions where it makes sense to do so, and even for some non-college events-such as an upcoming concert this weekend at the FDR homestead where the gospel choir will perform.
Also occurring this weekend is the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in Albany. Himmelberger affirmed that the band "will be travelling.to support both the men and women's basketball teams," and with a chuckle he said ".hopefully when the opposing team is taking foul shots down at our end of the floor, we can make them miss a couple." He is also hopeful that the women's team will make it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association
tournament because it's another opportunity to take the band out and support the team.
Marist's Music Director strongly believes that the band is the heart and soul of sporting events and together during half-time shows the cheerleaders, dance team and band form The Spirit Team.
In fact as Maristas, the band has so much school spirit that it can afford to lend some to another school. In the summer of 1998, the Marist Marching Band represented Florida State University in the Pigskin Classic at Giants Stadium. In a panic, the leader of the Seminoles' marching band had called around to find a replacement for his unready musicians. Marist's band under the direction of Himmelberger, who was supposedly "just crazy enough to do it," landed the job. Florida State alumni in attendance believed that the Foxes were really Seminoles.
In regards to the music selected for pep band and marching band, Himmelberger said that it is easier, more fun and more popular. But the music for concert band is the kind that will help the students grow as musicians. He described the concert music as being the meat and potatoes while the marching and pep band music is the dessert.
Although the band's marching and pep music is more popular than that of its concerts, the music department-both the vocal and instrumental sides of it-is able to raise a great amount of money for charities such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and the Wounded Warrior Project.
While the band and choir are raising money at concerts, Himmelberger raises school spirit and morale at sporting events. Most notably, during basketball at half-time games he takes the microphone and proudly belts out the Marist fight song-which he wrote himself-as he energetically claps and dances on the court.
According to sophomore clarinetist Katlin Davis, "He's an eccentric but passionate little man."
Like a personal cheerleader for the band, Himmelberger fires up his musicians who in turn fire up the crowd, all cheering the Foxes on to victory.
When asked about his sweet dance moves, Himmelberger remarked "I've always loved to dance.When I was in college I played in a jazz-rock band. We kind of made our band like the band Blood, Sweat & Tears.But sometimes at one o'clock in the morning at some pub we were playing, they would clear the dance floor and the trombone player would come back and take over the drum set and I would go out and do some dancing."
The admiration felt for him by Maristas is evidenced by the "Art Himmelberger Fan Club" on Facebook which includes continually updated quotes from the man, the myth, the legend.
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