Outstanding Bandmaster Interviews

Gary D. Green
Gary D. Green
Outstanding Bandmaster 2023

Past President Keith Bearden recently completed interviewing all living recipients of the Phi Beta Mu International Outstanding Bandmaster Award. The list of luminaries includes John Bourgeois, Ray Cramer, Frederick Fennell, Mallory Thompson, Paula Crider and Alfred Watkins among our distinguished recipients. We hope you will check out some of these interviews as the reflect on their careers.


Band Composer Interviews

Carol Brittin Chambers
Carol Brittin Chambers

At our recent Phi Beta Mu International meetings at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, we were encouraged by Dr. Quincy Hilliard to archive interviews of band composers who have been leaders in the band movement by composing music for young and developing ensembles. This project is just in its infancy and we hope many of you will help with collecting these interviews. The recent passing of Robert W. Smith at age 64 adds urgency to the project as many of our noted composers are enjoying their senior years. Our initial approach will be for each chapter to take responsibility for interviewing composers from their state or chapter.

Those willing to do interviews can use our Outline of Questions as a guide. Thank you in advance for your willingness to help with this important project!

Once the first few interviews are complete we will place them on our YouTube channel with a link on our website.


PBM Elections 2023

Congratulations to the two new Board members

Cynthia Lansford
Cynthia Lansford
(Alpha Chapter – Texas)
Andrew Mroch
Andrew Mroch
(Psi Chapter – Kentucky)
Travis Weller
Travis Weller
(Nu Chapter – Pennsylvania)
is Vice President (President Elect) by acclamation

2023 recipient of Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction

Congratulations to the Aledo High School Band. They are the winner of the 2023 Earl D. Irons Program of Distinction award.

Aledo High School Bearcat Regiment
Aledo High School Bearcat Regiment
Joey Paul, director

Welcome Alpha Iota Chapter

On March 3rd, 2023 International Board Member and Nu (PA) President Travis Weller installed Alpha Iota Chapter during a meeting at the Maryland Music Educators Conference. The installation was a result of the efforts of Walter Harley to renew the chapter, which had lapsed several years ago.

Top Left-Right
Anthony Townes, Chan’nel Howard, (President) Cynthia Stevenson, Krystal Williams,  Kimberly Hirschmann, (Secretary) Amber Abbott, (Vice-President) Kerry Gilliard 
Bottom Left-Right
Mark Lortz, Eric Posner, A. Danielle Gilliard, (Board Member) John Stevenson, Christopher Cicconi, Lionel Harrell, (Board Member) Alphonso Jiles, Kelvin W. Washington, and Walter Harley 

Tom Rhodes
Mr. Tom Rhodes

Announcing the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Contributor Award

Congratulations to the 2023 Phi Beta Mu International Outstanding Contributor to Bands, Mr. Tom Rhodes. The award will be presented at the 2023 PBM Awards Breakfast during The Midwest Clinic.

The Outstanding Contributor Award honors an individual for outstanding contribution to the support and/or development of bands.  The individual may be a composer, administrator, business person, etc. who makes a significant contribution to our profession. 


Gary D. Green
Prof. Gary D. Green

Announcing the 2023 recipient of the Outstanding Bandmaster Award

Congratulations to Gary D. Green, Emeritus Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. 


Carol Brittin Chambers
Carol Brittin Chambers

2022 Phi Beta Mu International Commission a Hit!

Alegría — Carol Brittin Chambers

The 2022 Phi Beta Mu International Commission was the grand finale at the Henry Middle School Concert at The Midwest Clinic, December 2023.


Members in the News

Midwest Meetings – Transitions

At the PBM General Assembly meeting on December 20, 2023 at The Midwest Clinic, the International Board of Directors announced some transitions to the Board.


Educational Outreach

Educational Outreach

Several of our members from a variety of chapters have reached out to share helpful articles and ideas to assist you this fall. Many thanks to the contributors – we appreciate their involvement in the project!


Members in the News

Members in the News

A new section features just a few of the most recent accomplishments of our talented Phi Beta Mu members!


(l-r) Trisha Burrell (Texas); Keith Kelly (Ireland); Keith Bearden & June Bearden (Texas); André Oliveira (Brazil)

Two sets of donated uniforms from great Texas Tech Alumni, Abby Crawford and Sara Steele Hill, were sent to Ireland (Keith Kelly) and Brazil (André Oliveira) from San Antonio! Thanks to Keith Bearden, June Bearden and Trisha Burrell for helping in this worthwhile project and to the Phi Beta Mu International Assistance Fund for helping with transit expenses.

Phi Beta Mu Reaches Out to International Band Scene

The Phi Beta Mu Board of Directors has created an International Assistance Fund (IAF) to provide assistance to school/community bands in foreign countries. Funding is to be used for supplies or classroom equipment purchased locally in the foreign country, or for assistance in the transport, shipping, or mailing of items. Awards will not exceed $500 to any one school or program.

Applications from Phi Beta Mu members will be received at any time during the year. Inquiries and submissions are to be directed to the Executive Secretary David Lambert. Requests will be approved or declined within seven working days.

Please use your member login and go the Forms & Documents page to access more information regarding the application process.


Carol Brittin Chambers

2022 Commission Project

Carol Brittin Chambers

Composer, owner of Aspenwood Music

The Executive Board of Phi Beta Mu is dedicated to promoting quality music for the wind band by commissioning new literature that contributes to the existing band repertoire for all grade levels as we work to build better bands.  We are pleased to announce that we have commissioned Carol Brittin Chambers as the composer of a new work for wind band. This new composition is a Grade 3-3.5, and the projected completion date was summer 2022.


Chapter Special Projects

It is exciting to see the themes of mentorship, collaboration and leadership demonstrated by the actions of Phi Beta Mu members and chapters. The ideals of our fraternity are reflected in the special projects that local chapters focus their time and energy on each year.

Discover the common threads of service to our profession that bind our chapters and fraternity together.


Chapter Profiles

We want to know more about you!

Public relations chair Martin Carey-Becker is soliciting information in order to expand our awareness of each of our 35 chapters. Even though we have much in common, each of our Phi Beta Mu chapters is unique. By sharing this information we become more connected as a fraternity and the bonds of life, love and music are strengthened.

For more information about this project contact Martin Carey-Becker at becker.martinandjudy@gmail.com

View the profiles from 27 of our 35 chapters. Help us complete our roster by submitting your chapter profile today.