AWAPA Recipient Biographies

AWAPA Committee    AWAPA Award

AWAPA RECIPIENTS, LISTED BY YEAR OF NOMINATION:

1961
William D. Revelli - the great leader of the University of Michigan band, founder of College Band Directors National Association, and past president of nearly every leading American band organization, including NBA. NBA Hall of Fame, '81. d. '94.

1962
Karl L. King - the famous march writer, leader, and conductor of the Dodge City, Iowa band. He was a major leader of the American band movement. Hall of Fame, 80. d. '71.

1963
Howard Hanson - conductor, composer, administrator, and national leader, the Director of the Eastman School of Music led the school to the forefront of music compositions and of musical performances of wind music. d. '81.

1965
Col. Harold D. Bachman - the founder and leader of "Bachman's Million Dollar Band", later the band director at the University of Chicago, and then the University of Florida. Another great leader of the band movement in the United States. Hall of Fame, '80. d. '72.

Glenn Cliff Bainum - built the great band program at Northwestern University; another great influence on the development of American bands. Hall of Fame, '80. d. '74.

1969
Harry Guggenheim - the founder of the Long Island newspaper, Newsday, which grew into the largest sububan newpaper in Amerca. He was a great ben York City, and during his lifetime he kept the Guggenheim Foundation focused on supporting the Goldman Band. d. '71.

Al G. Wright - one of the founders of NBA, and our first president; built the great Purdue University band program. One of the most effective band leaders of the mid twentieth century. Inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1986.

Paul V. Yoder - one of the most influential band personalities of the mid 20th century, he was at one time the most popular composer/arranger of band music in America. d. 1990.

1970
Toshio Akiyama - the single most important leader in the band movement in Japan. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he returned to Japan, and spent an entire career bringing band music to Japan, and leading Japanese bands to a very high level of excellence.

1971
Richard Franko Goldman - the son of the legendary band leader, Edwin Franko Goldman, Richard succeeded his father as leader of the Goldman Band. An author, composer, and administrator he was also one of the early real scholars to document the history of bands, and more specifically the concert band. d. '80.

1972
Richard M. Nixon - as President of the United States, Nixon was very supportive of the military bands in Washington, D.C. d. '94.

John Paynter - succeeded his mentor, Glenn Cliff Bainum, as director of bands at Northwestern University. Active in all band organizations and president of most of them, John Paynter was the leader of the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and one of the most influential band leaders in the world. He, along with Al Wright, was instrumental in establishing NBA, and served as our second president. d. '96.

1973
Sir Vivian Dunn - one of the most respected and beloved band conductors in the world, Sir Vivian was the leader of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Band and Orchestra, and School of Music. A popular guest conductor in America, he was also the first person in the history of the British Empire to be Knighted for services to band music. d. '95.

Traugott Rohner - the d The Instrumentalist magazine, it was his dream and efforts which resulted in there being a National Band Association. He devoted his life to the service of instrumental music. d. '98.

1974
Jan Molenaar - the president of the Dutch music publishing company of the same name, Jan Molenaar was one of the early leaders who championed American style concert band music in Holland, throughout Europe, and throughout the world.

1975
Frederick Fennell - the founder and first conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Dr. Fennell recently retired as conductor and music director of the famed Kosei Wind Orchestra in Tokyo. One of the preeminent conductors in the world. Inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1990.

1976
Col. George S. Howard - the first leader of the U S. Air Force Band, Col. Howard, one of the great leaders of the band movement in America, was president of NBA '70-'72. NBA Hall of Fame in '82. d. 95.

Harry Mortimer - a most important leader of the British Band movement, he followed in the footsteps of his father who was also a famous British Brass Band leader. d. approx. '89.

1978
Mark Hindsley - the famed leader of the University of Illinois bands; a major leader in the American band movement; popular guest conductor, transcriber of great orchestral works for band; and leader of all the major American band organizations. NBA Hall of Fame, '83. d. '96.

James Neilson - director of the Oklahoma City University band; one of the great early leaders of the NBA, served as president '82-'84. Hall of Fame, '81. d. '85.

Vaclav Nelhybel - a successful European composer, he immigrated to the U.S., discovered concert bands, wrote profusely for them, and changed forever the band literature in America. d. 96.

1979
Leonard Falcone - built the Michigan State University into one of the great college band programs in America. Popular conductor, arranger, and euphonium teacher, soloist, and clinician. Hall of Fame '84. d. 85.

Alfred Reed - American composer, Dr. Reed was one of the most popular composers/guest huge influence on band music internationally.

1980
Col. Arnald Gabriel - the U.S. Air Force Band under Col. Gabriel established new levels of excellence all bands. A brilliant conductor and leader, he continues to provide leadership for bands throughout the world. Hall of Fame '92.

Nilo Hovey - popular guest conductor and clinician; formerly the band director at Butler University, Hovey became the Educational Director for Selmer, and led the school bands of America into a new era of preparation and learning. Hall of Fame, '86. d. '86.

1981
Trevor Ford - the popular leader of the modern band movement in Norway, Ford was an early leader in the NBA, establishing the Norway NBA group as their official band organization.

Vincent Persichetti - respected American composer and former President of the Julliard School, his contributions to windband literature were monumental in the mid-twentieth century. d. '87.

1982
Morton Gould - conductor, composer, whose leadership and contributions to our literature were tremendous. d. '96.

Clare Grundman - a great orchestrator in N.Y., he became one of the most influential composers of band music. Grundman's band works in the '50's and 60's changed the way composers wrote for bands. d. '96.

Karel Husa - pulitzer prize winning composer, his compositions for band brought acclaim from every segment of the music world. A world class composer/conductor who helped raise the standard for fine bands.

1983
Harry Begian - as conductor of the famed Cass Tech Band in Detroit, Begian gained a reputation as one of the most musical, sensitive, and effective of American band conductors. Retired as director of bands at the University of Illinois, he continues to serve on the board of directors of the Midwest Clinic. Hall of Fame, '94.

1984
Norman Dello Joio - composer of significant literature for wind bands as well as for orchestra, choir, and keyboard.

Francis McBeth - one of the most popular guest conductors and composers, McBeth is retired from the faculty of Oachita Bapt composer and guest conductor.

1985
J. Clifton Williams - a pivotal figure in the development of a modern band repertoire, Williams won the first two prizes awarded by the ABA Ostwald Band Composition Competition. His music influenced an entire generation of composers, and changed the face of band music. d. '76.

1986
Frank Erickson - one of the most successful composers of educational band music, Erickson was instrumental in the development of a repertoire of good original band music for younger bands. d. '96.

Merle Evans - the most famous circus band leader of all time, Evans led the Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus for 50 years (and never missed a performance). d. '87.

Hugh E. McMillen - built a great band program at the University of Colorado. Renown as a fine musician, conductor, and educator. d. '92.

1987
Claude T. Smith - composer, conductor, Smith was one of the most popular composers of band music from the late 1960's until his death in '87.

1988
Warren Benson - distinguished composer and teacher at the Eastman School of Music, Benson has been a tremendous influence for higher quality music and literature for wind bands.

Col. John R. Bourgeois - former NBA president and retired leader of the U.S. Marine Band, Col. Bourgeois set a new mark not only for outstanding musical performances, but also for national and international leadership serving and leading most of our great band organizations. Hall of Fame, '01

1990
Donald Hunsberger - leader of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, editor and arranger of outstanding literature for bands, Hunsberger has led by example both musically and professionally.

1991
Ed Gangware - former editor of The School Musician magazine, and college band leader, he was a prominent leader in American bands and band organizations from the mid 1950's until his death in '94.

1992
W J Julian - conductor, administrator, leader, Dr. Julian built the acclaimed band program at the University of Tennessee. He was one of the very important early leaders of NBA, and of '78 '80. Hall of Fame, '94.

1995
Geoffrey Brand - one of the leaders of the modern band movement in England; conductor for numerous high quality concert band recordings by the top professional musicians in London. A popular lecturer and guest conductor in the U.S.

Harvey Phillips - probably the most influential tuba performer and teacher of all times, the former tubist in the New York Philharmonic, and professor of tuba at Indiana University.

Richard Strange - recently retired as director of bands at Arizona State University, Strange has provided a level of leadership which is truly outstanding. A tireless contributer to bands at every level, he continues to serve in numerous ways, in different organizations, and as a conductor/clinician.

1996
Kenneth Bloomquist - retired director of bands at Michigan State University, Bloomquist is one of the early leaders in NBA, having served as president. He continues to be active as a conductor, clinician. Hall of Fame, 2002.

L. Howard Nicar, Jr. - former director of bands at Vanderbilt University, he served as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of NBA from '84-'98, and was instrumental in rewriting the constitution, and modernizing the entire operation. d. '97.

H. Robert Reynolds - recently retired as director of bands at the University of Michigan, Reynolds is one of the most influential band conductors in the world. He continues to be active as a guest conductor/clinician.

1997
Elizabeth Ludwig Fennell - as president and CEO of Ludwig Publishing Co., she has a long record of service to the entire profession, always supporting worthy projects, and worthy music.

Arthur Gurwitz - as president and CEO of Southern Music Co., he made a commitment to bands, band music, and to music education that is exemplary.

Neil A. Kjos - president and CEO of the Neil A. Kjos Music Co., he has served on the boards supporting most of our band organizations. When asked to help, he always helps, and at a very high level.

1999
William F. Ludwig, Jr. - the retired president and CE served bands and the entire music industry through the development of higher and higher quality percussion instruments.

Russell Hammond - the leader of the Australian band movement, Hammond has personally brought the concert bands of Australia into a new era of excellence and international involvement.

2000
John M. Long - retired director of bands at Troy State University, Dr. Long has served as one of our great NBA leaders, establishing The National Band Association Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors at Troy State in 1979. Hall of Fame, '96.

2001
Paul Bierley - one of our best band historians, Bierley's research into the lives and music of John Philip Sousa, and of Henry Fillmore have resulted in the best books ever written about either subject.

Raoul Camus - an acclaimed musicologist who just happens to love bands! He is Professor Emeritus, City University of New York, and he has devoted his life to research about bands and band music, while maintaining an active career as a conductor and performer.

2002
William J. Moody - former director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi, U. of Texas, and chairman of the music department at the University of South Carolina, he served as president of NBA '68-'70.

2004
Earl Dunn - served as Director of Bands at Ball State University and The University of Alabama before returning to Ball State as the Associate Director of the School of Music. He served as President for the NBA from 1975-77 and has continued to maintain an active role in the NBA through his work as Editor of the NBA Journal.

Victor Zajec - was Director of Bands and Dean of the Graduate School at VanderCook College of Music. He has served as Secretary of the MidWest International Band and Orchestra Clinic Board of Directors since 1992 and was awarded the Sudler Medal of Honor from John Philip Sousa Foundation in 2000.

2005
James T. Rohner - was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, and played trumpet throughout his junior high and high school years. He earned his B.A. and LL.B. from Yale University, and practiced law in Philadelphia and Chicago for seven years before taking a leave of absence for a year to reorganize and streamline the operations at The Instrumentalist and Clavier magazines. This “leave of absence,” along with Jim’s keen interest in and support of bands and band music as seen through The Instrumentalist magazine, have continued for over 30 years. His work has been a corner post in the foundation of the American band movement for more than a quarter of a century.

2006
Frank Battisti - is Conductor Emeritus of the New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble, a group he founded and conducted for 30 years. Battisti has been responsible for commissioning and premiering over 50 works for wind ensemble by distinguished American and foreign composers including Warren Benson, Leslie Bassett, Robert Ceely, John Harbison, Robin Holloway, Witold Lutoslawski, William Thomas McKinley, Vincent Persichetti, Michael Colgrass, Daniel Pinkham, Gunther Schuller, Robert Selig, Ivan Tcheripnin, Sir Michael Tippett, William Kraft, Robert Ward and Alec Wilder. He is Past-President of the College Band Directors National Association, and the co-author of Score Study for the Wind Band Conductor (1990), and author of The 20th Century American Wind Band/Ensemble (1995) and The Winds of Change (2002). In December 1993, Meredith Music Publications published a book, One Band That Took a Chance by Brian Norcross. It is a detailed account of Battisti’s innovative Ithaca High School Band program in Ithaca, New York from 1955-67.

2007
David Whitwell - is a conductor, author and composer who served on the faculty of California State University-Northridge from 1969-2005. Whitwell’s publications include more than 115 articles on wind literature including publications in Music and Letters (London), the London Musical Times, the Mozart-Jahrbuch (Salzburg), and 38 books, among which is his 13-volume History and Literature of the Wind Band.