Karl James Glenn

Karl J. Glenn of Ann Arbor, MI, died on February 22, 2026, at age 90. Karl was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 30, 1935, the first child of Wallace J. and Dorothy Glenn, and the loving brother of a younger sister, Karen Sue Glenn. After his early education in Raytown, Missouri, he attended the University of Missouri: Columbia and graduated in 1957. Two years later he received his Master’s Degree in Wind Instruments at the University of Michigan School of Music. While there, he met Elizabeth Wright of Detroit, and they were married in 1960.

The couple established residence in Washington, D.C., where Karl played French horn in the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band for concerts and national tours, and at the White House during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Karl later taught at Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio and the University of Wisconsin at Platteville. In 1967, he returned to the University of Michigan for doctoral study and received his Ph.D. in Music Education in 1972.

Karl taught music and conducted the Symphony Orchestra at Cass Technical High School, Detroit, a specialized school attracting gifted students from all parts of the city. During his 27 years at Cass Tech, he was President of the Michigan Music Educators, and then President of the Music Educators National Conference. He wrote articles and made appearances in the U.S., including at U.S. Congressional Hearings and a White House Symposium on Music in the Schools. Also, Karl was involved in teacher improvement as a member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. He supported the music education of college-age students serving as a member for two terms and as Chair of the U of M School of Music Alumni Society.

Upon retirement from Cass Tech in 1995, Karl served as a volunteer in the Spiritual Care Department at the University of Michigan Hospitals for 27 years.

Karl will be remembered for his kindness, steady presence, love of music, devotion to family, and the quiet joy he brought to those who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, two children, Sarah Elizabeth Matthews and Thomas Karl Glenn of Ann Arbor; and a grandson, Chase Lewis Matthews, of Livonia, Michigan.

Services will be held at St. Mary Student Parish, Ann Arbor, at a future time.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Department of Spiritual Care, University of Michigan Health, 1500 E. Medical Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109.