Campus news
MMEA conference includes awards for CMU professor, student Roy D. “Skip” Vandelicht, assistant professor of music at Central Methodist University, and CMU music student Dominik Lehman were recipients of special awards during the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference at Lake of the Ozarks in late January. Vandelicht, CMU’s director of bands, was given the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Outstanding Music Educator Award for Missouri, based on accomplishments and service to the Missouri State High School Activities Association and Missouri Music Education. Vandelicht became CMU director of bands in July after retiring from a 31-year career as a public school music educator at Fayette High School. He oversees the marching, concert, and jazz band programs at CMU. He has also received the 2004 Bandworld Legion of Honor Award; the 1991 Orpheus Award, presented by Beta Mu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; and the 1981 and 1982 Music Teacher of the Year Awards, presented by the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs. He was also recognized by Central Methodist University in 1990 with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The NFHS Music Committee was formed in 1978 and acts in an advisory capacity for the NFHS Music Association and its parent organization. The Outstanding Music Educator Award was first given in 1989 when seven individuals received sectional awards. Since that time, 116 sectional and 204 state awards have been presented. Dominik Lehman, a freshman student at CMU majoring in music education, received the Dr. Wynne Harrell Music Scholarship. Lehman’s award, which is specifically for freshman-level college students majoring in music education, was based on his academic and student achievements in high school and in his 18
first year of college, along with letters of recommendation, including one from a teacher-sponsor who is a member of the MMEA. Lehman is a 2008 graduate of Pacific High School, where he was a member of band and choir. He is currently a member of the CMU band and choral programs. The mission of the 3,000-member MMEA is to effectively serve members in their goals of teaching and learning, by promoting a comprehensive music education program that furthers music-making by all and supports the advancement of music education as a profession. Central always has an informational booth and a reception for alumni at the MMEA conference. Tracy Jones, director of alumni relations, reported that approximately 100 guests visited the reception. Alumni were highly interested in the plans for the upcoming renovation of Classic Hall for the music students and the Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art. The mood was festive and upbeat at this year’s conference, and very supportive of CMU, according to Tracy Jones, director of alumni relations. “I ran into dozens of our alumni,” she says. “Several mentioned they are now actively pushing their music students toward attending Central for their education.”
Three new music awards Three new music awards were added to the Swinney Conservatory of Music this spring. While they were announced at Honors Convocation, they will be officially presented at the Fine Arts Awards dinner in September. One new award is the Dane W. Nelson Music Service Award, created to honor the memory of Dane Nelson, a 2008 graduate of Central who died tragically in a car accident this winter. His wife, Mallory (James) Nelson ’08 and the rest of Dane’s family established the award. The award was presented to graduating senior music education major David Sahm. The second new award is the Dr. R. Paul Drummond Award, which honors the memory of Dr. Drummond, who was the director of the A Cappella Choir for more than 25 years before he succumbed to cancer in the fall of 2007. His family, including wife Suzanne (Armitage) Drummond ’67, established this award, which went to rising senior music education student Mason Rivers. The third new award is the Helen (Puckett) Thogmorton Excellence in Music Award. It honors the contributions to music of legendary “Mrs. T” who passed away in early March. The first presentation of this award went to a Fayette resident, sophomore Lacey Eaton, also a music education major. These awards will be fully introduced in the fall Talon.
Spring 2009 The Magazine of Central Methodist University
The Talon