Career Highlights
- Instrumental ensembles under his direction consistently earned superior ratings at the MSHSAA State Music Festival.
- Performed at MMEA on four occasions with three different bands.
- Is an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout Missouri.
- Served MBA as the All-State Band Coordinator, President, Past-President, and Board Member
- His time spent on the MBA Board brought about numerous positive changes to the All-State Band audition process, and MBA Conventions that are still in effect today.
- Continues to actively mentor both young and experienced directors.
- Has served as President of Phi Beta Mu, Lambda Chapter
Webster’s dictionary defines master as “a great person whose work serves as a model or ideal”. This definition perfectly describes our 2021 inductee.
LINDA HUCK shared…
Not only did his students achieve musical excellence, they also became better students, citizens, and human beings because of their contact and interaction.
From KEITH LOWERY, former Principal
This individual consistently modeled the character traits of honesty, respect, integrity, responsibility, grit, hard work, and dependability.
They ensured daily instruction was developmentally appropriate, pedagogically sound, personally rewarding, and always student-centered. His strength was being able to relate to a student regardless of their family background, socioeconomic status, or their rate of learning. Students often said” He expects the best from us; wants our band to be the best; and he really cares about everyone in the band.”
SKIP Vandelicht shared…
His groups were always well-rounded, highly disciplined, totally prepared, and always, above all else….musical.
But, just as important as his band’s musical accomplishments were the lasting effects he has had on the lives of his students. His teaching style is unique to his personality and one that endeared him to his students.
AARON STEWART
“Look for the bald man on the 4-wheeler” is how Aaron Stewart’s professional relationship started with our inductee when Aaron was invited to their farm to meet and talk shop.
His ability to meet someone where they are and begin to mold and shape them into a better version of themselves is extraordinary.
Anytime he is in front of a band there will be laughter, farm or sports analogies, if necessary… a raised voice and a prominent forehead vein, and there will always be music. Not just right notes and rhythms, but music filled with excitement, passion, and above all else - good tone.
According to Aaron, our inductee tells you when you’ve messed up (as Aaron discovered on his first official day on the job by showing up an hour late), tells you when he’s proud of you, and is always there with a handshake, a hug, or a word of wisdom whenever you need him. Our inductee is a graduate of Central Methodist College and attended there on a music AND football scholarship.
His teaching career included time spent at the following schools:
- 1986-1991 HS Band & Choir Director for Steelville Schools
- 1991-2000 Director of Bands in Fulton
- 2001-2012 Director of Bands in Lebanon