Ann Goodwin Clark; HOF 2026

The Reveal: By the Numbers

The Countdown

Criteria for the MBA Hall of Fame Award

1. Any individual who has made a lasting or enduring impact on the stature and/or condition of instrumental music education (through the band medium) in the state of Missouri is eligible for consideration. This person may be: a. Alive or deceased b. Active or retired from service in the state of Missouri; residency at the time of selection is not a prerequisite.
2. The candidate must have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, the ability to positively impact the personal and musical development of Missouri’s youth through the medium of wind band music.
3. The candidate must demonstrate a continued commitment to their own professional and musical growth through active membership in professional organizations such as MBA, MMEA, MENC, NBA, etc.

To truly understand the scope of our next inductee’s career we are going to look at the numbers. Their legacy is written in a series of numbers that few in our profession will ever match.

50… is the approximate number of years this person has dedicated to the same community band.
25... plus, is the number of years dedicated to the classroom.
20... is the number of years she spent listening to, encouraging, and judging all-state auditions.
7… this will be the 7th female to be inducted
5... is the number of different Missouri school districts that were fortunate enough to have this director on their podium.
4… is for the 4th band director from this school district to be inducted into the hall of fame.
3... is the number of times this director’s concert bands performed  at MMEA—(representing Gallatin, Nevada, and Park Hill.)
2... represents her place in local history. She is only the second female—from her school district to reach this milestone.
1... this will be the first sibling to be inducted into the Missouri Bandmasters Hall of Fame.

But numbers only tell part of the story. The rest is told by the people she changed along the way.

• In 2003, Ann Goodwin Clark was recognized nationally as one of 50 "Directors Who Make a Difference." In 2004, Ann was named a Laureate of the "Legion of Honor" by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
• Angie Thurmond said,  “When I tried to quit band because I didn’t like carrying a 45 pound sousaphone, she invested in me and helped me find my passion in music.  Because she didn't give up on me, I can thank her for my entire musical and professional life. “
• Amy Knopps said, "She exemplified for me as a novice teacher what a strong woman in our profession and in our state could be. "She also said, I can still hear her voice on the microphone the day after September 11 saying to the students, ‘out of respect for those who cannot, let’s have as normal of a day as possible.”- Amy Knopps
• Jim Oliver tells us “Ann’s mantra has always been simple: "Service through kindness."

Tonight, I am honored to induct the 61st Member of the Missouri Bandmasters Hall of Fame.  Ann Goodwin Clark.