Captain Adam Kendall Hilkert

Adam K. Hilkert, 37, an active-duty Army Captain, stationed at Fort Jackson, SC, passed away in the hospital on February 20, 2024. CPT Hilkert was previously hospitalized when he fell ill in January.

CPT Hilkert’s body came home via Southwest Airlines, to Indiana, on March 8, 2023. CPT Hilkert’s flag draped casket received full military honors upon arrival. His mother and sister were present to receive him back home, for the final time.

Adam was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 13, 1986, the only beloved son of his mother Judy D. Hilkert (Lawrence, IN) and his father Steven K. Hilkert (Southport, IN).

Adam is survived by his doting parents, his dearly-regarded sister, Madison K. Mosher (Lawrence, IN), his two deeply-loved and cherished sons, Gavin K. Hilkert and Lionel G. Hilkert, who were the very most important part of his life, their mother, Qinqing Qian Hilkert, estranged spouse (Salem, OR), his maternal grandmother Mildred West (Lawrence, IN), his best friend Steven Shepard (Indianapolis, IN), and a tremendous multitude of family, friends, and mentors.  Gratefully, there are too many to mention by name.

CPT Hilkert was a man of unwavering dedication to his precious sons, his country, his profession, his church, his family, and his friends.

CPT Hilkert was a determined leader, always striving to improve. He fervently believed in being a quiet professional who led others by example.

CPT Hilkert’s credentials were extensive. He was an accomplished musician, songwriter, composer, conductor, and educator. He was a Blue Star Banner recipient, in his hometown of Lawrence, IN. He was a Guest Clinician with the Indiana Honor Concert Band - Indianapolis Education Association, and a highly regarded lecturer.

CPT Hilkert shared his passion for toy collecting and playing video games with his sons and was quite the film connoisseur. He enjoyed biking, roller coasters, concerts, and movie theaters. He was a lifelong Indianapolis Colt’s fan. He attended church faithfully and shared his faith with his children.

CPT Hilkert volunteered at memory care facilities in response to his surviving grandmother’s diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia. He donated his services and time by conducting and/or performing music at events, and he provided free music lessons to friends and students.

CPT Hilkert’s family has a long history of military service. All of his grandfathers and step grandfathers served in the military during wartime; Two of them were prisoners of war (POW). His great-grandfather served during World War II, died in the line of duty, and was buried in France. Adam was predeceased by several loving grandparents, step-grandparents, and close family members.

CPT Hilkert’s military awards and decorations included, but were not limited to:   The Army Commendation Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Senior Army Instructor Badge (the first Army Band Officer to earn the award), the Basic Army Instructor Badge, the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.

Education:

George Mason University

Doctor of Musical Arts, Instrumental Conducting

(2011- 2021)

• An Interpretive, Historical, and Comparative Analysis of Selected Band Works of Donald H. White (Doctoral Dissertation)
• Conducting student of Anthony Maiello, Mark Camphouse, and Dr. Dennis Layendecker.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Master of Arts in Wind Conducting, Wind Conducting 

(2008 - 2010)

• An Analysis of Selected Band Works of Donald H. White (Master’s Thesis).
• Conducting student of Dr. Jack Stamp and Dr. Jason Worzbyt.

DePauw University

Bachelor of Music Arts, Double Bass, Conducting, Theatre

(2004 - 2008)

• Conducting student of Dr. Craig Pare', Orcenith Smith, and Gabriel Crouch.
• Member of Phi Gamma Delta

 Lawrence Central High School

(2004 Graduate)

Advanced Bass Studies

CPT Hilkert’s military education included:

Deployment Cycle Resilience Training Course (Fort Eustis, VA), the Master Resiliency Trainer Level 1 Course (Fort Eustis, VA), the Initial Military Training (IMT) Company Commander First Sergeant Pre-Commander Course (Fort Jackson, SC), the Training and Education Development Middle Manager Course (Little Creek, VA), the Common Faculty Development – Instructors Course (Little Creek, VA), the Cadre Training Course (Little Creek, VA), the Army Bands Basic Officer Leaders Course (Little Creek, VA), Officer Candidate School (Fort Moore, GA), Army Bands Advanced Individual Training (Little Creek, VA), and Basic Combat Training (Fort Moore, GA).

CPT Hilkert’s experience included:

Prior to being commissioned as one of just 22 active conductors in the U.S. Army Bands, after highly competitive national auditions, CPT Hilkert served as Associate Conductor of the George Mason University Symphonic Band and Director of Bands at Annandale High School (Annandale, Virginia); Music Director of the Vienna Community Band (Vienna, Virginia); and Director of Bands at Langley High School (McLean, Virginia).  His bands earned vast superior ratings from assessments and contests throughout the United States. CPT Hilkert was recognized, by the Fairfax County Public Schools Board of Supervisors for his excellence in teaching.

As a performer, CPT Hilkert had recordings on over fifteen (15) compact discs on the Klavier, GIA, Mark Masters, and Mark Custom labels. He show-cased his musical versatility, as he performed in classical, jazz, blues, pop, bluegrass, symphonic, and rock styles.

Career:

Official Military Training Leadership School

Course Manager and Facilitator

Fort Jackson, SC

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band

Executive Officer

Fort Eustis, VA

U.S. Army Bands

Officer and Conductor

(Multiple Locations)

George Mason University

Doctor of Musical Arts, Instrumental Conducting

Fairfax, VA

U.S. Army School of Music

Company Commander

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story

U.S. Army School of Music

Executive Officer

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story

U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band

Associate Bandmaster

Ft. Moore, GA

Additional Officer Duties:

• Arms Room Officer - Arms Room Officer for USASOM
• Arms Room Officer - Arms Room Officer for the TRADOC Band
• Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Control Officer - Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Officer for the TRADOC Band
• Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Control Officer - Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives Control Officer for USASOM
• Property Book Officer (PBO) - Property Book Officer for USASOM
• Property Book Officer (PBO) - Property Book Officer for the TRADOC Band
• Safety Officer or NCO - Safety Officer for USASOM
• Safety Officer or NCO - Safety Officer for TRADOC Band

Director of Bands 

Annandale High School

Annandale, Virginia

Acting Director of Bands

Langley High School

McLean, VA

Indiana Wind Symphony

IWS Musician - Double Bass

Indianapolis, IN

Heartland Big Band

Musician - Double Bass

Lawrence, IN

Martin University

Director of Choral Activities

Indianapolis, IN

Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township

Guest Music Teacher

Indianapolis, IN

Metropolitan School District of Warren Township

Guest Music Teacher

Indianapolis, IN

Warren Central High School 

Orchestra & Band Instructor/Double Bass Instructor

Indianapolis, IN

Lawrence Central High School

Orchestra & Band Instructor/Double Bass Instructor

Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Founder & Conductor, IUP Chamber Winds

Indiana, PA

Graduate Conducting Associate

Indiana, PA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Punxsutawney

Music Instructor

Punxsutawney, PA

DePauw University

Conductor & Lecturer, Tiger Pep Band Winter Term 2009 Course

Greencastle, IN

DePauw University

Music Director & Conductor, "Quilters," "Hair," & "Children of Eden"

Greencastle, IN

DePauw University

Director & Conductor, Tiger Pep Band & Guard

Greencastle, IN

Memorial Contributions:

Remembrances for Adam may be offered in any form desired by friends. Donations for his sons would be most appreciated. Flowers are welcome; the family is grateful to receive them at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250 for the visitation. Flanner Buchanan will transport the flowers to the church for funeral services. The family will appreciate the tribute and the family has arranged to transport and donate the flowers later to memory care residents in his honor. Adam would have loved your thoughtfulness, and the memory care residents will appreciate your kindness.

If interested, memorial contributions to honor Adam may be made to Operation Smile (https://www.operationsmile.org/ways-give).  Adam was born with a cleft lip and endured reconstructive surgeries. It never prevented him from smiling, performing on stage, conducting concerts, or public speaking.

Those who loved Adam will miss him always, but we are all richer for having known him.

Quotations: 

• Adam Hilkert, “My children will know that I loved them.”
• John 11:35. “Jesus wept.”