Nancy M Hinners

Nancy Carol Hinners, nee Magnusson, 84, of Evanston, IL, died April 20, 2020. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine; son, Gregory (Patricia); three grandchildren, Thomas, Samantha & Matthew; sister-in-law, Stacey Magnusson; nephews, nieces & many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kathleen, nee Maglich and Maurice Magnusson; her son, George O. Hinners, Jr.; brother, Paul Magnusson; and former husband, George O. Hinners, Sr.

Nancy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She began her artistic training at an early age on the piano, violin, and French horn, even taking tap dancing classes. She proudly toiled in the dirt, working on her Victory Garden with her Grandma Magnusson (here begins her interest in gardening)! While attending Shaw High School she was an active member of the various organizations: High School marching band, Orchestra (taught herself the cello so she could play in the string section), various vocal ensembles and Tarquin, a student organized musical group. She studied French horn with Erwin Miersch (4th horn Cleveland Orchestra), played French horn in the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra, and in the summer performed at the Cleveland Playhouse & Tanglewood Music Center.

After being awarded a full tuition scholarship in Voice and French horn, Nancy attended Northwestern University, studying horn with Philip Farkas and voice with various vocal teachers, (she also continued playing the cello). In her freshman year she won the lead role of Cio-Cio-san in Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, and in following years performed lead roles in Puccini’s La bohème (Mimi) and Bizet’s Carmen (Micaëla). During her four years at Northwestern, she participated in many functions that featured Lotte Lehmann & Edith Mason-Ragland. She was also chosen as a singer to audition pieces to be performed by Waa-Mu. During her Junior year, Mme. Lehmann requested a private performance by Nancy, which led to a scholarship to study at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA (summer 1956). There she studied German lieder & interpretation under Mme. Lehmann, and performed the role of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (Lobero Theatre) under the direction of Maurice Abravanel. Nancy returned to Northwestern to finish her senior year, continuing to participate in various competitions, one gaining her a Fulbright Scholarship to study abroad in 1957-1958! Nancy graduated from Northwestern University in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music - Vocal Performance (Opera). She was also a member of the Delta Zeta sorority.

From 1957-1958, Nancy studied at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München (Germany), where she performed various operas (all “auf Deutsch”), even crossing into East Germany to attend operas and purchase opera scores! Declining an offer to continue her studies another year, Nancy returned to Evanston, IL to wed George O. Hinners in July of 1958 at Winnetka Congregational Church. She continued to perform as a soloist in Chicago (CSO, various opera houses) & Cleveland (soloist with Cleveland Orchestra), and participated in various competitions (winner of Regional Metropolitan Opera Auditions).

Having three children under the age of three, Nancy had to curtail her musical career, limiting her musical activities to soprano soloist at Northminster Presbysterian Church, playing French horn in a woodwind quintet & touring various school districts introducing young minds to the wonders of music! In 1964, she reconnected with her mentor John P. Paynter, joining the Northshore Concert Band. Here, Nancy performed for almost 50 years mostly as principle horn (plus being the occasional vocal soloist with the Band).

Nancy was a terrific private music instructor! During this phase of her life she taught at Evanston Township HS, Main West HS, Skokie Elementary/Junior HS’s & had a private studio at home(aka The Living Room). She was an adjudicator in Local & State music competitions (vocal & instrumental), a past member of the Women’s Club of Evanston (performed for them too), member of NATS (National & Regional, past officer) and past President of the Northwestern University – School of Music Alumni Board.

Aside from her passion of music (CSO, Lyric Opera, Met HD), she had many hobbies: gardening, antiquing, entertaining with great fanfare (scrumptious meals, decorations & music) and giving themed birthday parties for her children. She bred, raised & showed Yorkshire Terriers (championed over a dozen), enjoyed knitting and needlework (sweaters for her children & Christmas stockings for her grandkids). When not actively performing in the music world, she treasured all things Purple: NU Football games (20+ years), Alumni Reunions (attended her 60th in 2017) and 100’s of performances in the new music building (1st the Horn studio, then the Trombone, Cello, Trumpet & so on).

She will be missed deeply by everyone whose life she touched. She was a very loving, giving mother, sister & grandmother, and an encouraging teacher - mentor. We will dearly miss her patience, generosity, love & wisdom.

When the cloud of this “stay at home” has passed, there will a Celebration of Her Life at Winnetka Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Nancy’s name to Northshore Concert Band, 1555 Sherman Ave., #315, Evanston, IL 60201 or at https://northshoreband.org/support