Outstanding Bandmasters and Contributors

2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1986
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1983
1981

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2011

David R. Holsinger

Award-winning composer and conductor David R. Holsinger joined the faculty of Lee University in Cleveland, TN in 1999. He is the conductor of the Lee Wind Ensemble and teaches composition, orchestration and conducting. Dr. Holsinger holds degrees from Central Methodist University, University of Central Missouri and the University of Kansas. His compositions have won four national competitions, including a two-time ABA Ostwald Award. His prestigious series celebrating American wind composers was founded in 1992.

An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Holsinger’s recent honors include the Distinguished Music Alumni Award from Central Missouri State University, CIDA’s 1999 Director of the Year Citation, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s Orpheus Award, the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from Central Methodist College, and the 2003 Excellence in Scholarship Citation from Lee University. Holsinger was honored by Gustavus Adolphus College with the awarding of an honour Doctor of Human Letters for lifetime achievement in composition and presented the Gustavus Fine Arts Medallion. Holsinger has served as Visiting Distinguished Composer in Residence at 11 American colleges or universities. He is active as a guest composer and conductor throughout the United States.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2011

Al Sturchio

Al Sturchio received the 2007 Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award. He was 2000 TBA Bandmaster of the Year and in 1986 served as TBA Board of Directors President. He also served as the Executive Secretary of the Texas Bandmaster Association. In June of 1986 he retired from teaching after 34 wonderful years of assisting students and teachers with their musical desires and abilities.

As Executive Secretary of TBA, he had the opportunity to assist band directors in improving skills with the convention’s educational offerings. Working with the Board of Directors in accomplishing the purpose and goals of TBA has given him the opportunity to work with the finest people in our band world.

Al Sturchio has been a part of the San Antonio music culture for many years. His background includes conducting on tour with Johnny Carson and Jack Benny as well as trumpet playing and/or conducting for the following: Ringling Brothers Circus; Ice Capades; Stevie Wonder; James Brown; Kenny Rogers and Grand Ole Opry during the 1968 San Antonio World’s Fair; Sonny and Cher and many, many more.

However, as much as he has accomplished, one of his greater performance satisfactions has been playing for the San Antonio Spurs for more than 10 years as the “Sound of the Spurs.”

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2010

Robert E. Foster

Robert E. Foster was born in 1939 in Texas where his father, Estill Foster, was a prominent high school band director. Foster attended the University of Texas. He taught in Austin and in Houston. He received his Master’s degree from the University of Houston. Foster served as the assistant and the associate director of bands and trumpet teacher at the University of Florida. He has served the University of Kansas for 31 years, was conductor of the top wind organizations, and was the chairman of the Division of Bands.

In 2006 he was inducted into the National Band Associations Hall of Fame. Foster has served as president and chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, president of the Southwest Division of CBDNA, and of the Big 12 Conference Band Directors Association. He is VP of the John Philip Sousa Foundation and has been on the Board of Directors for CBDNA, ABA, NBA, the John Philip Sousa Foundation and the Kansas Bandmasters Association. He was selected Bandmaster of the Year by KBA. Foster is an active composer, arranger, conductor and clinician. He has served as an educational consultant for Wingert-Jones Music.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2010

Mark J. Morette

Mark J. Morette is the second generation owner of Mark Custom Recording Service, Inc. In Clarence, NY, Mark Recording was founded in 1962 by Vincent S. Morette, a music/ technology pioneer and innovator who brought together music education and the tape recorder. Mark followed in his father’s footsteps and has been recording for over 30 years. He has been privileged to work with jazz greats Bobby McFerrin; Dizzy Gillespie; John Faddis; Steve Houghton; Shelly Berg; Jeff Jarvis and the Eastman Jazz Ensemble. Pop music favorites include Ginger Baker; Richie Havens; Denny Laine; 10,000 Maniacs; Goo Goo Dolls; Misfits; Men at Work, plus classical artists Fred Mills; Houston Opera; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra; US Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy, and Coast Guard Bands; Rutgers Wind Ensemble; Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Canada); and Texas A&M University.

Mark currently spends over 30 weeks a year “on the road” recording. He has been honored with 160 Grammy Entry List appearances for his recordings, producing, and Mark Records releases. He has been awarded the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s award for Outstanding Service to Music Education, the International Percy Grainger Society’s Grainger Medallion, as well as the New York State Band Director’s Association’s Outstanding Service award.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2009

H. Robert Reynolds

H. Robert Reynolds is Principal Conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. He retired from the School of Music at the University of Michigan where he served as the Henry F. Thurnau Professor of Music, Director of University Bands and Director of the Division of Instrumental Studies.

For the past 25 years he has been the conductor of the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Reynolds has conducted recordings for Koch International, Pro Arte, Caprice, and Deutsche Gramophone and has won the praise of many composers for the sensitive interpretation of their compositions. He has conducted in many of the major concert halls of Europe and the United States and is the conductor of the Tanglewood Institute Wind Ensemble. Reynolds is a sought-after guest conductor and lecturer with engagements in many of the major cities of Europe and Japan. He is Past President of the College Band Directors’ National Association and the Big Ten Band Directors Association.

Reynolds has received many honors from his peers that celebrate his distinguished service to music and teaching excellence. The many former students who now hold major conducting positions at leading colleges and universities evidence his legacy as a mentor.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2009

Richard C. Crain

Music educator, administrator, consultant, adjudicator, clinician, lecturer, and leader, Crain is Past President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He has served as Executive Secretary of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity since 1977, the Coordinator for the National Concert Band Festival for Bands of America since 1991, and served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic for the past 18 years.

Crain has been honored by the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations, receiving the Outstanding Music Educator Award for Texas in 1994 and 1995, and was acknowledged by the Texas Bandmasters Association as Texas Bandmaster of the Year in 1994. In 2006 Crain received the Texas Bandmasters Association Lifetime Administrator Achievement Award. After 45 years of service, Crain remains a passionate and committed advocate for music education.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2008

John L. Whitwell

John L. Whitwell was Director of Bands Emeritus at Michigan State University where he served as Director of Bands, Conductor of the Wind Symphony, Professor of Music, Chair of Conducting, and guided the graduate degree programs in Wind Conducting prior to his retirement in 2006.

He has been a passionate advocate of the commissioning of new music his entire career. A member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest Clinic, past-president of the Big Ten Band Directors Association and past-president of the North Central Division of the College Band Directors National Association, Whitwell has received many honors that celebrate his distinguished service to music and teaching excellence. He is in great demand as a guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2008

Scott McCormick

Scott McCormick is CEO and leader of Music for All, a non-profit organization recognized as one of the largest and most influential national music education organizations. Music for All inspires active music making and provides a high quality, educational performing experience for America’s high school instrumental music programs. Music for All provides national level programming combined with awareness campaigns, research and advocacy.

McCormick is active on numerous boards of directors promoting music education, arts administration, and youth in the United States and Europe. He has membership in the American Bandmasters Association, Percussive Arts Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, and is a founding partner of the Jazz Education Network. He is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator and author.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2007

Eugene Corporon

Regents Professor of Music and Conductor of the Wind Symphony at the University of North Texas, Eugene Corporon’s groups have recorded over 400 works and released 50 recordings on various labels. He was Past President of the College Band Directors National Association; co-author of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series; internationally recognized and sought-after conductor and teacher; and recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Citation for advancing the cause of music in America.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2007

Harry Pinchin

Harry Pinchin has been honored for his lifetime commitment to music and music making. He is also a performer and conductor; founder and director of the Cosmopolitan Music Society, an organization dedicated to community band programming; recipient of numerous awards at the provincial and national level for excellence in arts and culture; and recipient of the distinguished International Award by the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic 2001. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Bandmasters Association.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2006

Don Wilcox

Don Wilcox is former Professor of Music and Director of Bands Emeritus at West Virginia State University; an internationally recognized conductor, lecturer, and clinician; Past-President of the American Bandmasters Association and recipient of the Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2006

Richard Miles

Richard Miles is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Morehead State University and co-author and editor of the Teaching Music through Performance series and other valuable resources for music educators.

He is also Past-President of the College Band Directors National Association – Southern Division and a sought-after guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2005

Myron Welch

Myron Welch is an emeritus professor and former director of bands at the University of Iowa where he conducted the Symphony Band and Chamber Wind Ensemble, coordinated the graduate program in band conducting, and taught courses in instrumental methods, conducting and band literature.

He received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University with majors in clarinet and bassoon. He earned the Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Illinois where he studied conducting with Dr. Harry Begian.

Dr. Welch was a reviewer of new music for The Instrumentalist and is a frequent guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2005

Tim Reynish

Tim Reynish is on faculty at the International Chamber Music Studio at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. He is renowned as as one of the leading conductors of wind bands and wind ensembles in the world.

Reynish was a music scholar at Cambridge, working under Raymond Leppard and Sir David Willcocks and held principal horn positions with the Northern Sinfonia, Sadler’s Wells Opera (now the English National Opera) and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. In the 1970s he founded the Birmingham Sinfonietta from members of the CBSO.

In 2010 he contributed the chapter Music for Wind Band in The New Percy Grainger Companion, published by Boydell & Brewer.

He travels the world fulfilling his many engagements as conductor, educator and clinician.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2004

James Croft

James Croft received his BME degree from Cornell College, an MA from Northern Iowa University, and his doctorate from the University of Oklahoma. He taught for 21 years in the public schools in Iowa and Wisconsin, the last eighteen of which were spent in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where his groups were invited to appear at numerous state, regional, and national conventions, clinics, and festivals. In 1972 he joined the faculty of the University of South Florida as Director of Bands, remaining there until assuming a position as Professor of Music at Florida State University in 1980. He became Director of Bands at FSU in 1981. He retired from the faculty in the summer of 2003, after taking the FSU Wind Orchestra to perform for the World Association of Symphonic Band Ensembles convention in Sweden.

Widely sought as a guest conductor, lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician, he appeared in 46 states, Europe, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada, Israel, and Australia. These appearances include the National Music Camp (Interlochen); the Royal Academy of Music (London); the Royal Marine School of Music (Portsmouth); the Central Army Orchestra (Budapest); the Ensemble Barrundeum (Prague); the Royal Central Air Force Band (London); the Matan Music Camp (Israel); conducting symposia at the University of Calgary and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music; the Band Conductors Art (University of Michigan); The Art of Wind Band Teaching (University of Minnesota); the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles; the World Association of Symphonic Band Ensembles, and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago). He annually serves on the conducting faculty of Canford (England) School of Music.

A past president of both the National Band Association and the College Band Directors National Association, he also serves as a contributing editor for The Instrumentalist, and as a consulting editor for Research Perspectives in Music Education. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu. In 1966-67, The School Musician selected him as one of the nation’s ten outstanding music educators. In 1997 he received a Florida State University Teaching Award and was recognized as the University Educator of the Year. He is the recipient of the Makovsky Memorial Award and the Distinguished Service Medal from Kappa Kappa Psi; the Florida Collegiate Educator of the Year award from the Florida Music Educators Association; the Midwest Clinic’s Medal of Honour, and was inducted into the Florida Bandmasters Association Roll of Distinction in 2002.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTORS 2004

Joyce Martin and Frank Fendorf

Joyce Martin

Frank Fendorff

Since Merrill Jones and George Wingert opened the doors for business in 1960, Wingert-Jones Music has been a strong advocate of music education. In 1962 Joyce Martin became the first full-time employee at Wingert-Jones; Frank Fendorf was hired in 1965. They became part of a strong team that continued the legacy of strong leadership, commitment to growth, and support of music education.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2003

Lowell E. Graham

A native of Greeley, Colorado, Lowell E. Graham is the Chairman of the Music Department and Director of Orchestra Activities at the University of Texas at El Paso.

He is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education in 1970 and a Master of Arts degree in performance the following year. In 1977 he became the first person to be awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral conducting from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

His distinguished conducting career includes performances with the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra; Virginia Symphony; Spokane Symphony; Valdosta Symphony Orchestra; El Paso Symphony Orchestra; American Promenade Orchestra; Greeley Philharmonic, Chamber Music Palm Beach Chamber Orchestra; Westsachsisches Symphonieorchester; Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Banda Sinfonica do Estado de Sao Paulo; Orquestra de Sopros Brasileira; Banda Sinfonica de la Provincia de Cordoba – Argentina; Banda Municipal de Musica de Bilbao – Espana; Banda Municipal de Barcelona – Espana; National Symphonic Winds; National Chamber Players; Avatar Brass Ensemble; Denver Brass; Commander and Conductor of the United States Air Force’s premier musical organization in Washington, D.C. As a USAF Colonel, he became the senior ranking musician in the Department of Defense.

Graham initiated many important media projects for American Public Radio as well as live telecast/webcast concerts and video productions on which his credits include those of conductor, writer and musical producer. He is a frequent guest on radio talk shows and performed on NBC’s Today Show for five consecutive years on Independence Day.

Awards and honours include: Abraham Chavez Professorship in Music; American Bandmasters Association; University of Northern Colorado School of Music Hall of Honour; Catholic University of America’s 1998 Alumni Achievement Award; University of Northern Colorado Alumni Association Honoured Alumni Award; Award of Distinction from Illinois Music Educators Association; Phi Beta Mu International Outstanding Bandmaster Award; American School Band Directors Association’s A. Austin Harding Award; Director Honourifico Anual for Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Paraguay.

In 2005 Graham was named as the Supervising Editor for LudwigMasters Music Publications, Inc., a division of Edwin F. Kalmus & Co., Inc. Graham has released recordings on five labels — Klavier, Telarc, Mark, Altissimo and Wilson — that have been recognized for both their artistic and sonic excellence. These recordings have been recognized in Stereophile’s Records’ To Die For list, The Absolute Sound’s The Super Disc list, as well as one having won a Grammy.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2003

Max McKee

Editor of Bandworld and co-founder of WIBC, he is Professor Emeritus at Southern Oregon University where he continues as Executive Director of The American Band College Master’s program. He was co-founder of WIBC and an elected member of The American Bandmasters Association. He served on its Board of Directors and is currently on the John Philip Sousa FoundationBoard.

In 1998 he received the Sousa Foundation’s Medal of Honor; in 2003 was inducted as an honorary in Phi Beta Mu; in 2005 received the Midwest Clinic’s Music Industry Award, and in 2006 he received the ASBDA’s A.A. Harding Award.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2002

Harry Begian

Begian studied trumpet with Leonard Smith and flute with Larry Teal in the Detroit area. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wayne State University and a doctorate degree at the University of Michigan. He also studied conducting at Tanglewood.

It was his work at Cass Technical High School in Detroit from 1947 to 1964 that first led to national recognition. Twenty-five Cass Tech recordings are on permanent file in the Library of Congress as part of the Harry Begian Collection. This collection, along with more than 60 record albums and 15 CDs from his University of Illinois tenure, has been called “the most distinguished and complete collection of recorded band performances in existence.”

Professional affiliations include: Director of Bands at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Director of Bands at Michigan State and Wayne State Universities.

Awards and honours include: American Bandmasters Association’s Honourary Life Membership; National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence; American School Band Directors Association’s Edwin Franko Goldman Award; Percy Grainger Award; election to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2002

Tabor Stamper

Tabor Stampor

Tabor Stampor is the President of Jupiter Band Instruments.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2001

Dr. Mallory Thompson

Dr. Thompson received her Bachelor of Music Education degree and Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied conducting with John P. Paynter and trumpet with Vincent Cichowicz. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Donald Hunsberger.

Academic posts include: Northwestern University’s Director of Bands, Professor of Music, coordinator of conducting program; Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; University of South Florida; Oberlin Conservatory; Bucknell University; artistic director of Northshore Concert Band.

Professional affiliations include: Pi Kappa Lambda; Music Educators National Conference; College Band Directors National Association; American Bandmasters Association; Board of Directors of Midwest Clinic.

Conducting/clinician positions include: College Band Directors National Association conventions; Midwest Clinic; Interlochen Arts Academy; Aspen Music Festival; United States Air Force Band; United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”; United States Army Field Band; United States Coast Guard Band; United States Navy Band; West Point Band; Dallas Wind Symphony; Symphony Silicon Valley.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2001

Keith Mann

Beloved music educator Keith Mann died in a tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 61 on May 11, 2001. Director of Bands at Red Deer College in Alberta, Mr. Mann served internationally as a guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator. He was a tireless music advocate who inspired many of his students to consider careers in the music industry.

He established the Canadian Band Journal, serving as its editor for 22 years.

Awards and honours include: one of Ten Outstanding Band Directors in the US and Canada by School Musician; National Band Association Citation; Sousa Order of Merit; Canada Medal for “service to the nation”, WIBC’s Phoenix Award; Canada’s National Music Award; Alberta Achievement Award; Phi Beta Mu’s David Peterkin Award; Canada’s Commemorative Medal; American Bandmasters Association’s Edwin Franko Goldman Memorial Citation; Midwest Clinic’s International Award “in recognition of Outstanding contributions and Dedication to Instrumental Music Education.”

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 2000

Charles Enloe

Charles Enloe was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. He chose trombone as his performing medium and graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1938. He enrolled at Southern Methodist University, but World War II interrupted his education and he became a member of the Air Force. After the war ended, he resumed his education at SMU, received his degree in Music Education, spent several months at Highland Park, began his teaching career at Mexia High School, moving to Nederland High School and teaching trombone at Lamar University in Beaumont. Soon, the home area drew Charles to Seymour, where he built an outstanding program.

Charles returned to Seymour, disproving the old theory that “you can’t go back someplace where you have been before.” His bands at Seymour continued to be award winners until he left to return to Wichita Falls as Director of Bands at Rider High School. After a successful tenure there, he was promoted to Supervisor of Bands for the Wichita Fall Independent School District where he served until his retirement.

He has served as region chairman; taught at summer music camps and judged in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Charles retired, but still serves as supervisor of music student teachers at Midwestern University. He is a charter member of TMAA, TMEA, TBA, ASBDA and Phi Beta Mu.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 2000

Al Wright and Gladys Wright

Al Wright

Dr. Al. G. Wright is Director of Bands Emeritus at Purdue University and Chairman of the Board of the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He became director of the Purdue All-American Marching Band (AAMB) in 1954 and served for 27 years until his retirement in 1981.

Wright introduced a number of innovations to the Purdue band program, including elaborate football halftime shows and an expanded majorette corps featuring the Golden Girl and Silver Twins. He was also responsible for significantly expanding the band’s reach beyond football, including several performances at Radio City Music Hall.

Gladys Wright was the first woman elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and the first woman to receive national honorary membership in the international bandmasters fraternity Phi Beta Mu. She was founding president of the Women Band Directors National Association and has been active in the John Philip Sousa Foundation, where she helped launch a series of middle school honor bands throughout the United States. The West Lafayette resident remains active as editor of Woman Conductor.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1999

Robert D. Jorgenson

Mr. Jorgensen earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from Michigan State University where he was a student of Leonard Falcone and Kenneth Bloomquist. From 1969-1972 he was euphonium soloist with the United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C.

Academic posts include: Director of Bands plus Professor and Assistant Director of School of Music at University of Akron; Morehead State University, Kentucky; Director of Bands at Midwestern State University, Texas.

Awards and honours include: Phi Beta Mu 1999 Outstanding Bandmasters Award; Citation of Excellence Award from National Band Association; A. Frank Martin Award from Kappa Kappa ; membership in American Bandmasters Association.

Professional affiliations include: Past-President, board chair of American Bandmasters Association; Past-President of Mid-American Conference Band Directors Association.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1999

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants. He served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra, and as Chair of the Department of Music. He is listed in the International Who‘s Who in Music.

Col. Gabriel was the youngest member ever inducted into the National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors. He was named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (VA) Orchestra for his outstanding leadership.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1998

Frank B. Wickes

Frank B. Wickes (Carruth Alumni Professor and Director of Bands) has served as Director of Bands at Louisiana State University since 1980. Wickes holds the rank of full professor in the College of Music and Dramatic Arts. He received degrees from the University of Delaware and the University of Michigan.

Awards and honours include: 1976 Teacher of the Year in the College of Fine Arts, U of Florida; endowed Alumni Professorship at LSU; recognition from Chancellor for 20 years of distinguished dedication to LSU and his profession; 1994 cover story of The Instrumentalist magazine; Kappa Kappa Psi 1996 Distinguished Service to Music Medal; Phi Beta Mu 1998 National Bandmaster of the Year; 2008 AWAPA (Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts) Award; 2009 Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame; National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors; Sudler Order of Merit for outstanding high school programs for the decades 1960 to 1980.

Professional affiliations include: presidency of National Band Association; Southern Division presidency of CBDNA; presidency of American Bandmasters Association.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1998

Neil Kjos Jr. (1931−2009)

Neil Kjos Jr.

Neil Kjos Jr. initiated a piano catalog in the Neil A. Kjos Music Company [founded by his father], which culminated in the best-selling Bastien Piano Basics, the world′s first 4-colour piano method. It is now available in more than 16 languages. The company published the Standard of Excellence band method and All for Strings method for string orchestra.

Neil was a tireless supporter of both music education and the arts. He served on the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors (co-founded by his father) from 1968-1998, and received its Music Industry Award in 1994. He was an Honorary Associate Member of the American Bandmasters Association.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1997

Dr. William Francis McBeth

Dr. William Francis McBeth (1933-2012)

William Francis McBeth was a world-renowned composer and conductor. He was the Trustees’ Distinguished University Professor and resident composer at Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) in Arkadelphia (Clark County), where he served as chairman of the Department of Music Theory and Composition. The governor appointed him Composer Laureate of Arkansas in 1975, the first composer laureate in the United States.

Francis McBeth received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1954 from Hardin-Simmon University in Abilene, Texas; his Master of Music in 1957 from the University of Texas in Austin and was awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Music from HSU in 1971. He also studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

He served in the military from 1954 to 1956 with the 101st Airborne Band at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and the 98th Army Band at Fort Rucker, Alabama. McBeth was appointed band director at Ouachita Baptist College (now Ouachita Baptist University) in 1957. He remained at OBU, retiring in 1996 as chairman of the theory and composition department, resident composer, and the Lena Shepperson Professor of Music.

McBeth conducted the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in Little Rock (Pulaski County) for many years before his retirement from the orchestra in 1973, at which time he was named Conductor Emeritus

Most of McBeth’s music and books were published by Southern Music Company of San Antonio, Texas. His publications include works for all media: piano, choral, chamber, orchestra, and band. Among his most frequently performed compositions are Symphony No. 3 (which was awarded the Howard Hanson Prize in 1963); Kaddish, Op. 57; Beowulf, Op. 71; Of Sailors and Whales, Op. 78; Through Countless Halls of Air, Op. 84; and Missa Brevis, Op. 82.

McBeth was widely recognized as a clinician and lecturer and wrote a great deal about his own music and that of his contemporaries. Many of his articles were published in leading music journals, and he published three books on music theory and orchestration: Effective Performance of Band Music (1972); New Theories of Theory (1979), and Twentieth Century Techniques of Composition for the Beginning Student (1994). All of his major compositions have been recorded and are commercially available.

View speechgiven at Dr. McBeth’s memorial service by Julia Reynolds, ASBOA Executive Secretary.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1997

Sam Fox

As a young man, Fox worked as conductor of the Central High School Orchestras in Cleveland, an activity that served as a foundation for his pioneering work as a publisher of music for educational training and performance.

Fox founded Sandbox Music Publishing Company, later called Sam Fox Publishing Company. In 1917 Fox became the exclusive publisher for John Philip Sousa. Hollywood film work led to his publication of songs in Fox films, including The Good Ship Lollipop sung by Shirley Temple.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1996

Frederick Fennell (1914-2004)

Frederick Fennell

Frederick Fennell studied at the Eastman School of Music, gaining his Bachelor’s degree in 1937 and his Master’s two years later, after which he immediately joined the teaching faculty of the Eastman School.

In 1952 he formed the Eastman Wind Ensemble, who made 22 highly successful LPs. The Wind Ensemble became a model for many groups, and its recording of Percy Grainger’s A Lincolnshire Posy went on to be selected as one of the “Fifty Best Recordings of the Centenary of the Phonograph, 1877–1977″ by the magazine Stereo Review.

In 1978 he made a landmark recording: the first digital symphonic disc. The result was an enormously successful recording of music by Bach, Handel and Holst.

In 1984 he was appointed chief conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, the youngest of the lay Buddhist associations in Japan. In 1992 a new concert hall was named after Fennell in Kofu, Japan, and in 1995 he became the group’s Conductor Laureate.

In 1994 Fennell was presented with the Theodore Thomas Award of the American Conductors’ Guild in recognition of his leadership and service to wind band performance throughout the world. The two previous recipients of this award had been Solti and Bernstein.

Fennell remains best-known for his Mercury recordings with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. His skill as an orchestral conductor may be seen in his several ‘pops’ recordings with the Eastman-Rochester Pops Orchestra and the London Pops Orchestra.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1996

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser’s career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. He created Attitude Concepts for Today, an organization that manages workshops, seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the pathway-to-excellence. Tim presently holds the Earl Dunn Distinguished Lecturer position at Ball State University.

His books The Art of Successful Teaching, The Joy of Inspired Teaching, Music Advocacy and Student Leadership, and Everyday Wisdom for Inspired Teaching are bestsellers. He is co-author of Hal Leonard’s popular band method Essential Elements – 2000.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1995

Charles Emmons

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1995

David Maslanka

Composer David Maslanka’s 40-plus works for wind ensemble and band are Symphonies 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9; 12 concertos; a Mass, and many concert pieces. His wind chamber music includes four wind quintets; two saxophone quartets and many works for solo instrument and piano. In addition, he has written a variety of orchestral and choral pieces.

He has served on the faculties of the State University of New York at Geneseo; Sarah Lawrence College; New York University, and Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York. Since 1990 has been a freelance composer.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1994

Eldon Janzen

Professor Janzen received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Oklahoma State University and his Master of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he also served as Assistant to Director of Bands Maurice McAdow. He taught in the public schools of Oklahoma and Texas for 14 years before he was appointed Director of Music Activities for the Irving Texas school system in 1966. He was Director of Bands at the University of Arkansas from 1970 to 1995 and also taught instrumental methods and graduate conducting. His textbook The Band Director’s Survival Guide was widely used in instrumental methods courses throughout the country.

Professional affiliations include: American Bandmasters Association; Music Educators National Conference; College Band Directors National Association; Kappa Kappa Psi; Tau Beta Sigma; Lions International; President of Texas Bandmasters Association; President of Southwest Division of CBDNA; President of Arkansas Bandmasters Association; President of Phi Beta Mu International.

Awards and honours include: Arkansas Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame; Phi Beta Mu International Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music; Life President of Arkansas Bandmasters Association; Distinguished Service Citation by Kappa Kappa Psi.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1994

Joseph T. Alme

Joseph T. Alme is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands and conductor of the Minot State University Concert Band. He is principal trombonist with the Minot Symphony Orchestra, the Brass Band of Minot and the North Dakota State Fair Band.

Awards and honours include: Dakota’s 1978 Outstanding Young Educator; 1994 International Honorary Member of Phi Beta Mu; North Dakota Music Educators Hall of Fame; in 2003 was recognized by Swedish government for his efforts in educating and mentoring young Scandinavian students and conductors; 2004 North Dakota Band Directors Association Distinguished Service Award; 2005 Service Award sponsored by North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1993

Dr. John R. Locke

Dr. John R. Locke holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from West Virginia University and Doctor of Education from the University of Illinois.

Academic posts include: teaching positions at West Virginia University; Southeast Missouri State University; University of Illinois; Director of Bands, University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music.

Awards and honours include: Phi Mu Alpha’s Orpheus Award; National Band Association Citation of Excellence; membership in American Bandmasters Association; 1994 Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award; 2003 Outstanding Music Teacher Award at UNCG School of Music; Albert Austin Harding Award from American School Band Directors Association; Old North State Award from N.C. Governor Mike Easley for “dedication and service beyond excellence to the state of North Carolina.”

Professional affiliations include: Past-President of Southern Division of College Band Directors National; President of American Bandmasters Association; Past-President of North Carolina Music Educators Association; Carolina Band Festival and Conductors Conference; founder of UNCG’s Summer Music Camp program.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1993

Barbara Buehlman (1936–1997)

Barbara Buehlman

Arranger Barbara Buehlman received her BME (1959) and MME (1960) degrees from Northwestern University. After graduation she taught in the Round Lake, Illinois schools until 1983, when she became an administrator of the Midwest National Band and Orchestra Clinic.

She was a co-author of the Band Plus method books with James Swearingen. She was active with the Northshore Concert Band, serving as its Business Manager from 1962 until her death in 1997.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1992

J. Raymond Brandon

J. Raymond Brandon’s interest in music began as a child growing up on a farm near Chambersville, Ark. and was sparked by his father who sang at church and had a deep respect for music. He worked after school delivering telegrams for Western Union and earned $15.95 to buy a cornet from Sears and Roebuck. This instrument functioned well for several years, but was soon replaced by a gold-plated cornet given to him by his father.

Upon graduating from Fordyce High School, he attended Hendrix College. After a few years at Hendrix he worked as the band director at Heber Springs, then became band director at Arkansas High School in Texarkana. He held this position for 15 years. He attended classes at Vandercook School of Music, Lewis and Clark College, and Western State College where in 1949 he received a master’s degree. He moved to North Little Rock where he remained director of bands until his retirement in 1971. He was instrumental in forming the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association.

Professional affiliations include: charter member of Arkansas Bandmasters Association; charter member of Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Mu; president of American School Band Directors Association.

Awards and honours include: “Mac” award by First Chair of America; Arkansas’ 1977 Bandmaster of the Year; American School Band Director’s Association’s 1977 Goldman Award; membership in American Bandmasters Association in 1986.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1992

Tournament of Roses

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1991

George C. Brite (1926-2007)

George C. Brite received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa in 1947 and a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 1952. Under Brite’s direction, the Sapulpa High School Band was invited to perform at the Cotton Bowl parade in 1972, the presidential inaugural parade for President Reagan in 1985, and the Orange Bowl parade in 1986. Sapulpa celebrated George Brite Day to honour his retirement in 1987 and dedicated the Sapulpa High School George Brite Band Hall in 1996.

Brite also conducted the Summer Starlight Band Concert series during the 1980s and early ’90s at the River West Festival Park Amphitheater in Tulsa. The Starlight Band has given free concerts to the Tulsa community each summer since 1947.

Professional affiliations include: Oklahoma Bandmasters Association; American Bandmasters Association; Oklahoma Educators Association; National Educators Association.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1990

Robert Sheldon

An internationally recognized clinician, Sheldon has conducted numerous regional and all-state honour bands throughout the United States and abroad. His teaching career included 28 years in the Florida and Illinois public schools as well as at the University of Florida, Florida State University, Illinois Central College and Bradley University. He also held positions as conductor of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra, Gainesville, Florida and the Prairie Wind Ensemble in East Peoria, Illinois.

Awards and honours include: American School Band Directors Association’s Volkwein Award; Stanbury Award for teaching; a 25-time recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publisher’s Standard Award for his compositions in the concert band and orchestral repertoire.

His recorded compositions include Images: The Music of Robert Sheldon and Infinite Horizons: The Music of Robert Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon has been the topic of articles published in The Instrumentalist, Teaching Music and School Band and Orchestra magazine, and is one of 11 American wind band composers featured in Volume I of Composers on Composing Music for Band.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1990

Jimmy Saied (1915-2004)

Jimmy Saied

Jimmy Saied, the founder of the Saied Music Store chain in Oklahoma, loved the marches of John Phillip Sousa. In fact, he liked them so much that he teamed with then NAMM President Ziggy Coyle to create the bill Ronald Reagan signed into law in 1983 making The Stars and Stripes Forever the national march.

As successful as his business began and as poignant his contributions to the industry were, Jimmy seemed most proud of educating children in music. He said, “Music can give so much to a person’s life. We ought to give music to every child!”

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1989

Gary Garner

Gary Garner attended Sam Houston Junior High School in Amarillo and in the seventh grade joined the band at the urging of his two best friends. Mr. Eads, the band director, gave him a baritone sax. Since it soon proved to be more than he could handle on his bike when he tried to take it home to practice, he convinced his parents to buy the most portable instrument he could find — a flute. Gary also took up the saxophone and the clarinet.

College was interrupted by a three-year stint in the Air Force. Gary was stationed at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock and assigned to the band, where he served as leader of the dance band and assistant bandleader.

Although Gary didn’t complete his ES from Texas Tech until the summer of 1955, he had already begun teaching on a half-time basis at Hutchinson Junior High in Lubbock. After four years at Hutchinson, he became band director at Monterey High School in Lubbock. He served there only one year and then was offered the position as marching band director at the University of Southern California. During his four years at the university he completed his master’s degree and most of the work on his doctorate. He received his DMA in 1967.

In 1963 he became Director of Bands at West Texas State University, where he remained for the next 39 years until retiring in 2002.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1988

Ray E. Cramer

Ray E. Cramer holds a BA in Education; an Honourary Doctorate from Western Illinois University, and an MFA from the University of Iowa. He enjoyed a 36-year tenure at Indiana University with the final 24 years as Director of Bands.

Awards and honours include: Student Alumni Council Senior Faculty Award (1983); Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award (1988); CIDA Director of the Year Award (1988); Phi Beta Mu, International Assembly, Outstanding Bandmaster Award (1988); Kappa Kappa Psi Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award (1991); Edwin Franko Goldman Award (2002); MENC Lowell Mason Fellow Medallion (2003); Midwest Clinic Medal of Honour (2005); Bands of America Hall of Fame (2006) and Lifetime Achievement Award (2006); Honourary Life Memberships of Colorado Bandmasters Association (2007); Iowa Bandmasters Association (2007); 17^th Japan Academic Society of Winds, Percussion and Band Award (2007).

Professional affiliations include: past national president of College Band Directors National Association; American Bandmasters Association; president of Indiana Bandmasters Association; North Central Division of CBDNA; Big Ten Band Directors Association; Midwest Clinic.

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1988

Alfred Reed

Alfred Reed was one of North America’s most prolific and frequently performed composers, with more than 200 published works to his name. He was born in New York and began his formal music training at the age of ten. During World War II, he served in the 529th Army Air Force Band. Following his military service, he attended the Juilliard School of Music, studying under Vittorio Giannini, after which he was staff composer and arranger first for NBC, then for ABC. In 1953 he became the conductor of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra at Baylor University, where he received his B.M. in 1955 and his M.M. in 1956. His master’s thesis, Rhapsody for Viola and Orchestra, was awarded the Luria Prize in 1959. He was a member of the Beta Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national fraternity for men in music.

From 1955 to 1966 he was the executive editor of Hansen Publications, a music publisher. He was professor of music at the University of Miami (where he worked with composer Clifton Williams) from 1966 until his death in 1976. He established the very first college-level music business curriculum at the University of Miami in 1966, which led other colleges and universities to follow suit. At the time of his death, he had composition commissions that would have taken him to the age of 115. Many of Reed’s wind band compositions have been released as CD recordings by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1986

Colonel John R. Bourgeois

Director Emeritus Colonel John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.), was 25th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. His acclaimed career spanned nine presidential administrations from presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower to Bill Clinton.

Bourgeois is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and entered “The President’s Own” as a French hornist and arranger in 1958. Named Director of the Marine Band in 1979, Bourgeois was promoted to colonel in June 1983. He retired from active duty July 11, 1996. As director of “The President’s Own,” Bourgeois was Music Advisor to the White House. He selected the musical program and directed the band on its traditional place of honour at the U.S. Capitol for four Presidential inaugurations, a Marine Band tradition dating to 1801. He regularly conducted the Marine Band and the Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, appearing there more frequently than any other musician in the nation.

Professional affiliations include: Past-President of American Bandmasters Association; chairman of board and Past-President of National Band Association; President of John Philip Sousa Foundation; American Vice-President of International Military Music Society; Music Director of Washington, D.C.’s Gridiron Club.

Awards and honours include: 1986 Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award; 1987 Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award ; 1991 Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National; 1993 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Medal of Honour; election to the Academy of Wind and Percussion Artists of the National Band Association in 1988.

Bourgeois conducted his final concert as Director of “The President’s Own” on July 11, 1996 (the band’s 198th birthday) at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. More than 3,500 people, including prominent musicians and government dignitaries, attended the gala event. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan, sent letters of gratitude and praise that were read at the concert.

Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton hailed Bourgeois as “a national treasure” and presented him with the Distinguished Service Medal from President Clinton. Marine Corps Commandant General Charles C. Krulak compared Bourgeois to the band’s 17^th director, John Philip Sousa, saying, “Our Corps has not only had John Philip Sousa, we have now had a John Bourgeois. His legacy will never be forgotten by the Marine Corps or our nation.” The change of command received national attention, being covered by CNN, ABC, CBS, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. ABC’s Peter Jennings selected Bourgeois as the Evening News “Person of the Week.”

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR 1986

Elizabeth Green (1942-1995)

Elizabeth Green

Violinist and violist Elizabeth Green is recognized as one of the most important and highly esteemed teachers of stringed instruments and conducting in America. Her books are used in classrooms of major universities, and her associations with some of the greatest violinists and conductors in the world still put her in high demand as a lecturer.

OUTSTANDING BANDMASTER 1984

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel

Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36-year military career, at which time he was awarded his third Legion of Merit for his service to the United States Air Force and to music education throughout the country.

He served as Commander/Conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985. In 1990 he was named the first Conductor Emeritus of the USAF Band. Col. Gabriel served on the faculty of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia from 1985 to 1995; as Conductor of the GMU Symphony Orchestra, and as Chairman, Department of Music for eight of those years. In recognition of his ten years service to the university, he was named Professor Emeritus of Music.

Following his separation from the Army in 1946, Gabriel enrolled in Ithaca College, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Music Education.

Awards and honours include: the first Citation of Excellence awarded by the National Band Association; Midwest National Band and Orchestra Clinic’s Gold Medal of Honour and its Distinguished Service to Music Award; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s New Millennium Lifetime Achievement Award and its National Citation for “significant contributions to music in America”; Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Award; Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Contribution to Bands Award; St. Cecilia Award from the University of Notre Dame; named Music Director Emeritus of the McLean (VA) Orchestra; Ithaca College’s Honourary Doctor of Music degree and its Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also listed in the International Who‘s Who in Music, 7^th edition.