Roger Henderson

Roger Henderson holds a BA from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and a MA from the University of Iowa. He taught vocal music for 38 years with 31 years in the Grinnell Community Schools. In addition to teaching music at GHS, Mr. Henderson co-directed the biennial musical theater productions and most recently helped produce and conduct The Addams Family. Mr. Henderson’s students and groups received many honors including all state recognitions, superior ratings at festivals, and invitations to perform for state and local events. 

Mr. Henderson served in numerous leadership positions at the local, state, and national level including Trainer for the National Board for Teachers, President of the Iowa Choral Directors Association, Advisory Board Member of the Iowa High School Music Association, President of the Grinnell Area Arts Council, and Member of the GHS Building Improvement Team. He has presented at state, regional, and national level conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Iowa School Board Association. He was a founding member of Iowa Comprehensive Musicianship Project and lead demonstration rehearsals and classes for the Drake Summer Music Institute. 

Mr. Henderson served as a regional teacher-team leader for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, developing teacher assessments for national certification in music education. Subsequently, he trained assessors reviewing candidate submissions for National Board Certification. Mr. Henderson received a Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award for outstanding service to music education in public schools. He was also awarded the Weston Noble Award from Luther College for excellence in choral music education. His wife Lisa taught voice for 37 years, first at Drake University and then for the last 29 years at Grinnell College. Their sons, Reid and Alec and families, including three grandchildren, live in the Mpls area.