Jazz Awards
Each year the district membership determines the recipients of two awards, the “Band Director of the Year” and the “Award of Excellence”, through an open election during its May meeting. Listed below are the past recipients and the criteria for both awards.
Each year the district membership determines the recipients of two awards, the “Band Director of the Year” and the “Award of Excellence”, through an open election during its May meeting. Listed below are the past recipients and the criteria for both awards.
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Jazz Director of the Year:
2025 - Cameron Garris 2024 - Michael Jefferson 2023 - Matt DiDonna 2022 - Becca Clemens 2021 - Lucas Meade 2020 - Renee Todd 2019 - Erik Riggs |
Jazz Award of Excellence:
2025 - Andy Weiss 2024 - Erik Riggs 2023 - Margie Harrison 2022 - Renee Todd 2021 - Ken Davis 2020 - David Robinson 2019 - Michael Capps |
“JAZZ AWARD OF EXCELLENCE”
The recipient of this award receives an engraved plaque and letters of congratulations sent to their principal and superintendent of schools, in addition to an invitation to conduct either the High School 9-12 Symphonic Band or the Middle School Concert Band at the All-District Clinic. An article is also sent to the North Carolina Music Educator about this award and the recipient.
“JAZZ DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD
- The Band Director should be either an active or recently retired member in good standing with NCMEA.
- This award is based on a career of excellence in jazz music education (i.e. having produced excellent jazz ensembles and outstanding student achievement in jazz performance). Another possible criteria would be having students participate in Central Region Jazz Band, NC All-State Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz MPA events.
- The location (i.e. rural or inner city) and situation(s) that the director has worked in should be taken into consideration.
- The service that the Band Director has given to NCMEA as an officer, board member, chairman of tryouts and/or clinic, committee chairman, etc. should be taken into consideration.
- Any service that the Band Director has given to other professional music associations (i.e. MENC and ASBDA) should be taken into consideration.
- Any professional awards presented to the director during their career.
- Any professional publication (i.e. articles in NC Music Educator).
- Any original jazz compositions, commissions, arrangements, etc. that have added to the jazz literature.
The recipient of this award receives an engraved plaque and letters of congratulations sent to their principal and superintendent of schools, in addition to an invitation to conduct either the High School 9-12 Symphonic Band or the Middle School Concert Band at the All-District Clinic. An article is also sent to the North Carolina Music Educator about this award and the recipient.
“JAZZ DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR” AWARD
- The Band Director should be either an active or recently retired member in good standing with NCMEA.
- The successful accomplishments of the jazz director’s groups this year. This would include the total jazz education program (i.e. jazz ensembles, combos, soloists, Region Jazz Band, NC All-State Jazz Ensemble, jazz festivals, and jazz MPA participants).
- The location (i.e. rural or inner city) and the situation in which the director has worked.
- The service that the jazz director has given to NCMEA this year as an officer, board member, chairman of tryouts and/or clinic, committee chairman, etc.
- The service that the jazz director has given to other professional music associations (i.e. MENC and ASBDA) this year.
- Any professional awards presented to the director this year (i.e. “Teacher of the Year” Award).
- Any professional publications (i.e. articles in the NC Music Educator) this year.
- Any original jazz compositions, commissions, arrangements, etc. that have added to the jazz literature.