John Merrill Covert

John Merrill (Jack) Covert was born June 21, 1937 in Southampton, NY, to Marion Covert (nee Merrill) and Fred H. Covert. After high school and college he lived most of his life in Ithaca, NY, where he served as professor of French Horn at Ithaca College. After retirement, he and his wife (deceased), Mary Ann Covert, moved to Memphis, TN.

Jack’s reputation as a music teacher was unparalleled. The International Horn Society (IHS) wrote:

“Jack Covert is known especially for his years of teaching at Ithaca College in New York State (1966-1996), where he was honored with the Dana Professor Distinguished Teaching Award. Many former students play professionally and/or teach at music conservatories, including Martha Glaze-Zook (Philadelphia Orchestra), Gail Williams (Chicago Symphony, Northwestern University), Jon Menkis (Boston Symphony, New England Conservatory), Richard Graef (Indianapolis Symphony), and Rick Menaul (Boston free-lance, Boston University). Jack also taught at the University of Memphis (1965-1966) and at elementary schools in Livonia, New York.

Jack's music education was at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Fred Bradley in the Preparatory Division, with Milan Yancich while earning a BME degree (1959) and Performer's Certificate, and with Verne Reynolds for an MME degree (1965).

Orchestral playing includes the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Memphis Symphony, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Northeastern Pennsylvania Orchestra, and Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in Durbin, South Africa. While teaching at Ithaca College, he also played in the Ithaca Woodwind Quintet and Ithaca Brass Quintet.

Yamaha Brass sent Jack to South Africa in 1974 to work with indigenous brass bands and at universities. He returned to South Africa and Namibia in 1982 to work at a number of universities, concertizing, giving master classes, and consulting on curriculums. Since retiring, he has continued to teach and play: guest teacher at Eastman, sabbatical replacement at Northwestern University, and a season with the Syracuse Symphony.

Jack was honored with the Punto Award at the 2013 IHS Symposium in Memphis, Tennessee.” © 1970-2024 IHS Online

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ann Covert; his parents, Fred and Marion Covert; and his sister, Mary Ann Smith. He is survived by his son, Todd Covert (Deborah Galcik) of Granada Hills, CA, his niece, Amy Bergheger (Doug) of Loveland, OH, two nephews, Mark McGranaghan (Suzanne Munro) of Portland, OR, and David McGranaghan of Oak Harbor, WA, and his four stepchildren, Bobby Lewis (Donna) of Germantown, TN, Mark Lewis of Fairfield Bay, AR, Tracye Griffin (Harry) of Liberty, MO, and Jeff Lewis of Arlington, TN.

He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

A private burial is at Forest Hill South Cemetery in Memphis, TN. In lieu of a funeral service, a brief time of gathering and remembering will be held at Germantown Plantation where Jack lived.

Memorials can be sent to Germantown Plantation, 9293 Poplar, Germantown, TN, 38138.