Career Highlights
Instrumental ensembles under her direction consistently earned superior ratings at the MSHSAA State Music Festival.
Twice awarded the Outstanding Music Educator Award for the East Central District Music Educators Association.
Was awarded the Charles Edmonds Outstanding Band Director Award by the Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.
Maintains an active schedule as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for the in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and at the Midwest Clinic, and in Canada.
SERVICE to Music Educators
- MMEA Band Vice-President
- Two term President of their respective MMEA District
- President of Missouri Bandmasters Association
- Served on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education
- National Band Association
- National Association for Music Education
- Phi Beta Mu
- National Education Association
Reflections from colleagues……
BOB GIFFORD
I can honestly say that every time I have observed her work, I have learned something that I could utilize in my own teaching. She has devoted their life to her students and bands in Missouri. Her knowledge and experience as a music educator and band conductor is not only held in the highest regard in Missouri, but also across the nation. Their exemplary organizational skills along with methods for working with the “whole child” were two reasons that they received the prestigious invitation to present at Midwest.
JOE PAPPAS
Band programs at both the middle and high school levels maintained excellence in musical growth and performance as proven in the ratings, number of students in honor and all district/state programs, becoming music educators themselves, and their band performance at MMEA.
Former Principal DOROTHY WINSLOW
They pushed students to greater heights than the students thought possible. And did it in their own quiet unassuming ways. Students soon figured out and understood that to succeed in band, the students needed to succeed in school. Musical skills were taught, but much of what was taught was pure personal development through music.
KURT BAUCHE
This year’s inductee is a consummate professional who always projects a positive outlook. Whether it is in a band room or in school meetings of a non-music nature, her take on what is best for students always came first with the utmost respect. Her contribution to “Building Better Bands” went far outside the rehearsal hall of the school. As former MMEA Band Vice-President and President of MBA, she networked with outstanding instrumental music educators throughout the United States and Canada. As a result, she brought in amazing clinicians for both the MBA and MMEA conferences.
DONOVAN BANKHEAD
Her track record (not to mention longevity) at her school district was nothing short of inspiring. The relationships developed during those years with the students and fellow educators is the gold standard to which all others should be compared. Quote “Technically speaking, I am their boss. However, I always feel like I need to live up to their expectations of me — she challenged me to be the best leader I can be. I can think of no higher praise.”
Background
Linda is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University earning Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance and Master’s degree in Music Education. Her teaching career spanned 33 years in the Farmington School District. She served as the Assistant Director of Bands for 30 years where their primary teaching responsibility was at the middle school level, grades seven and eight. From 2012-2015, she served as Director of Bands at Farmington High School where she directed the Black Knight Marching Band, Symphonic Band, two jazz bands, and taught music theory and steel drum orchestra. Most recently she completed numerous years as a music consultant and member of the school service team for Springfield Music School. Our inductee is currently the Fine Arts Department Chair for the Lindbergh School District in St. Louis. And this year’s inductee is the ONLY 4 year President of the Missouri Bandmasters Association.