Hayes School of Music

Glenn Allen Muegel (February 21, 1934 - May 12, 2023) was born in Cincinnati, OH, the eldest son of Mildred Gibson Muegel and George Muegel.  His two brothers are James Oliver Muegel and George Edward Muegel.

Muegel graduated from Greenhills High School (OH) in 1952.  He earned his B.S. in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1956, and also received a certificate in Violin Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.  He completed his M.M. in Violin Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 1962, and his D.M.A. from the University of Southern California in 1970.  He has had post-doctoral study in violin instruction at the Aspen Music Festival and violin and viola instruction from string faculty members at the NC School of the Arts.

Muegel married the former Trudy Ann Drummond on June 20, 1959, in Rockford, IL.  Mrs. Muegel is the only child of Helen Schade Drummond and Evan Merrill “Boots” Drummond.  The Muegels have three daughters; Linda Ann (Mrs. Luke Connolly) who earned her D.V.M. from The Ohio State University, Lisa Gail ( Mrs. Richard H. Hammond III),who earned her B.S. from Ohio Northern University, and Laura Kim ( Mrs. Jon Sippel) who earned her B.A. from Wofford College (SC).  The Hammonds have one daughter, Lindsay Elyse, and the Sippels have twin sons, Daniel Martin and Evan Alexander.  The Muegels and their three daughters all live in the greater Charlotte area.

Dr. Muegel began his professional career as a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s violin section from 1955-57 and 1960-63.  During the interim years, 1957-60, he served as a musician in the United States Military Academy Band in West Point, NY.  His academic career began in 1963 at Minot State College where he taught string education from the campus elementary school and high school orchestras through the college level.  During 1966-67 he fulfilled his residency requirement for the doctor’s degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  From 1967-1977 he taught string education at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. !977-79 he became the string instructor at California State College, Stanislaus in Turlock, CA.  From 1979-83 he taught string education at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH.  He accepted an appointment at Appalachian State University in the School (Department) of Music from 1983-1999 where he retired from active teaching.  In addition to each academic position Dr. Muegel has maintained his orchestral performing as a principal or assistant principal player in the following orchestras; Minot Symphony (ND), Cincinnati Community Orchestra, Modesto Symphony (CA), Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, OH, and the Western Piedmont Symphony of Hickory, NC.  In addition he has conducted college-community orchestras and university orchestras in each of his academic positions.  After retirement, he continued as a contracted violinist in the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra (TN) and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (VA.)

Dr. Glenn Muegel’s rank at Appalachian State University progressed from instructor in 1983 to full professor in 1994.   He was appointed String Area Coordinator by the Dean in 1990 and Orchestra Conductor in 1992.  As String Area Coordinator he was responsible for recruiting orchestral students on and off campus, and administering to the needs and requirements of the String Area.  He taught courses in string education from basic instruction for non-string majors to methods for string majors.  Dr. Muegel also supervised string education student teachers.  His studio included violin and viola students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

During his years at Appalachian State University, Muegel has served on various university committees including the Cultural Arts Committee, the Faculty and Development Committee of the Hubbard Center, and most recently, the University Calendar Committee in addition to the School of Music’s Coordinators Advisory Council, Applied Music Committee, and the Music Education Committee.  Dr. Muegel has also been a member of the ASU Graduate Faculty.  Muegel is a life member of the American String Teachers Association and has also been involved with the National School Orchestra Association and Music Educators National Conference.

Dr. Muegel has had articles published in various state and national journals dealing with string education information.  In addition to his published dissertation (1970) “Three Concertos by Wenzel Pichl (1741-1805) with Solo Edition and Piano Reduction for Student Performers,” he co-authored a book with Dr. Robert Cowden entitled Bowing for Better Sound (1971).  Most recently he was the editor and author of many articles for the NC Music Educator String Forum.

Dr. Muegel has been part of the School of Music’s recital series each year since joining the music faculty.  He has been the owner of several fine stringed instruments including his Giuseppi Guadagnini violin dated 1782.  Dr. Muegel and his wife are also brass players (French horn and euphonium) and have played in a number of professional bands.

After thirty-five years of academic teaching and eight years of full time performance as a violinist, Muegel announced his resignation effective June 1, 1999 from Appalachian State University and this was finalized on July 1, 1999.

Dr. Muegel’s avocational interests include a gourmet palate, travel in all 50 states and on six continents, chamber music performance, golf, and a continuation of orchestral performing.  Mrs. Muegel is a professional musician (percussionist) who has performed in the same ensembles as Dr. Muegel and plans to continue her musical experiences along with her husband.  She holds a B.M. from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory, B. Sc. in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati, and a M.S. in Percussion Performance from the Juilliard School.  Mrs. Muegel also retired from Appalachian State University where she was Executive Assistant for University Recreation, and enjoys gourmet cooking, travel, chamber music, golf, orchestral performing, and knitting.  They enjoy an active life in the Sharon Towers retirement community in Charlotte.