Last updated: January 2, 2009

 Roque Cordero after the première of his Second Piano

Concerto in Chicago in March 2004. Photo by Arel Cordero.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We very much regret to report that composer Roque Cordero passed away today, in the morning of December 27. This is a loss that touches us in a more personal way, as Maestro Cordero was not only professor of composition here at Indiana University between 1966 and 1969, but also associate director of the Latin American Music Center during the same period.

We are currently in the process of gathering current information for our e-mail list and for this memorial page. Given his prominence as a composer and teacher, we thought we would let you know immediately.

With warm regards to all,

Carmen Helena Téllez, director
Luiz Fernando Lopes, assistant director
Latin American Music Center
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN 47405

Roque Cordero's Obituary

from the Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home and Crematory

Roque Jacinto Cordero
(August 16, 1917 - December 27, 2008)

CORDERO, Roque Jacinto, Panamanian Composer, age 91, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2008 after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Panama City, Panama of August 16, 1917 and was a resident of Dayton for the last 8 years. He came to the United States to study musical composition in 1943, soon after which he met his wife Betty. They were married in 1947 and recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Roque received his honorary Ph.D. from Hamline University and was a professor Emeritus at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois where he taught for 28 years. He was preceded in death by his parents Pablo and Maria, his sisters Natividad “Nati” and Mercedes “Chede”, his brother Pabla and his son Ricardo. He is survived by his wife Betty, his two sons Dimitri “D.J.” (Trudy) and Rogelio (Consuelo), Ricardo’s wife Kathy, and his nine grandchildren Nic (Molly), Arel, Diana, Cristy, Gina (Karim), Becky, Ro-el, Teresa and Tori. Two days before his passing he met his first great-grandchild Laina Jane Cordero. Roque’s legacy will be one of great family and great music. His spirt, laughter, and knowing smile will always carry on in the music he leaves behind and in the hearts of his family. The family will receive friends Monday [Dec. 29, 2008] from 5 to 7 p.m. at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory 5555 Philadelphia Dr. at N. Main St. [Dayton, Ohio].