Michael Schwartzkopf’s retirement, like his long career, is focused on music. This former professor of music at Indiana University is the part-time Chorus Master for the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. He is also a dedicated truck volunteer for Second Helpings. Last week, he was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the food rescue organization.
As a chorus director, Schwartzkopf has to be organized, a planner, a fundraiser, and promoter. All these skills he brings with him to this new role on the Second Helpings’ board. A helper and driver for Second Helpings since 2014, two years after he retired, Schwartzkopf is committed to doing “whatever I can to help feed the poor and destitute” and calls his volunteer experience “personally rewarding.”
Prior to retiring in 2012, Schwartzkopf’s career as a professor of music included conducting a large chorale ensemble, The Singing Hoosiers, that toured the world. He also served as chair of the Music Education Department and the Choral Conducting Department. For 17 years, he was the Choir Director for the First United Methodist Church in Bloomington, Indiana.
The newest board member drives a Second Helpings truck on alternate Wednesdays and is a substitute at times. He was formerly a singer with the Evolution Big Band, a group that is performing a benefit concert for Second Helpings on Feb. 23. He also was conductor and singer with the Hilton Head Plantation Big Band. He lives in Riverbend, a sister community to Sun City Hilton Head.
Executive Director Marcus Tanner welcomed Schwartzkopf to the Board. “The Bluffton area is growing and we are so pleased that a veteran Bluffton volunteer, Michael Schwartzkopf, is joining our board. Michael’s talents and skills are a great complement to our board. His education background and planning experience are essential as we look ahead at our future as an organization.”
