The current CBDA President selects an individual or individuals(s) who have given to music education in the state of California.
An annual recognition bestowed on an individual or organization who has demonstrated a history of promoting band music education in California. Recipients of this award have gone above and beyond a common calling to serve the fine art of music in the name of increasing, supporting, and spreading the love and joy of music to students in scholastic areas.
The award is named for Don Schmeer, a music educator, US Army musician (serving in Korea), and a strong advocate for music education in California from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Many of us knew him from his decades managing the Byron Hoyt music store in San Francisco. This award recognizes his life-long impact on our profession.
This award is bestowed by the CBDA Board of Directors, which recognizes that music teachers are not islands. It is only with help from our communities that we can truly succeed in reaching ALL of our students in meaningful and lasting ways. This is the goal of CBDA and it is why we recognize those who have given their time, expertise, and passion to help music educators in California.
Distinguished Service Award Criteria:
The Dave Goedecke Lifetime Achievement Award honors a California band director who has exhibited a lifetime of achievement in music education at the state level. The Lifetime Achievement Award may be given posthumously. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually at the CBDA Annual Banquet at the California All State Music Educators Conference. Nominees should have a minimum of 25 years of distinguished service to music education and achievement in leadership, teaching, and service. Distinction in these categories can be demonstrated through:
No award given in 2024
Galen Lemmon
Dr. Phil Vallejo
Gary P. Gilroy
2023 Tara Adams
2022 Armalyn De La O
2020 Trish Adams
2019 Dr. Eric Hammer
2023 Vince Keenan 2022 Nick Estrada 2021 None 2020 Sonya Menapace 2019 Dr. Matthew Darling 2018 Doug Steinmetz 2017 Lynne Faulks 2016 Deborah Gibbs 2015 Dr. Gary P. Gilroy 2014 Robert Long 2013 Kirstine Alexander 2012 Bob Lutt 2011 Richard Kirk 2010 Dave and Monika Strand 2009 Glenn Roberts 2008 Nick Rail 2007 Arnold Schwarzenegger 2006 Kirby Fong 2005 Jim Hart 2004 John Larreiu 2003 Bob Ward 2002 Max McKee 2001 Dr. Tim Lautzenhiser 2000 Paul Noll 1999 Carolyn Lindeman 1998 Delaine Eastin 1997 Gordon Shaw 1996 Henry Use 1995 Karl Bruhn 1994 Don Schmeer
2023 Ali Gilroy-Golden 2022 Mike Gangemi 2020 Rob van Loben Sels 2019 Steven Accatino 2018 Kirk Clague 2017 Brandon Price 2016 Rowland Nielson 2015 John Burn 2014 Dan Okamura 2013 Paul Lucckesi 2012 Michael D. Stone 2011 Norman Dea 2010 Don Wersky 2009 Dr. Gary P. Gilroy 2008 Dave Green 2007 Scott Grady 2006 Lisa Butts 2005 Roxanna Macheel 2004 Mike Corrigan 2003 John Abigana 2002 Meryl Wamhoff 2001 Mark Troxell 2000 Michael Doty 1999 Marty Baum 1998 Art Holden 1997 Edie Easterby 1996 Burl Walters 1995 Ty West 1994 Jack Hagopian 1993 Bob Flentge 1993 Duane Weston 1992 Tony Mickela 1991 Joe Catanesi 1990 Bill Hill 1989 Lyle Stubson 1989 Jerry Kirkpatrick 1989 Ron Jones 1988 William Crane, Jr Don Schmeer Joe and Donna Foster Leroy Darling
2023 Steve Acciani 2022 Cheryl Yee Glass 2020 Dr. Eric Hammer 2019 Michael Hipp 2018 Greg Christiansen 2017 Lisa Butts 2016 Ella Webb 2015 Timothy Smith 2014 John Larrieu 2013 Dr. Thomas Lee 2012 Dr. Edward Harris 2011 Robert Halseth 2010 Warren Torns 2009 William Johnson 2008 Bill Hill 2007 Tom Cole 2006 Duane Weston 2005 Bill Schneider 2004 Frank “Buck” Shaffer 2003 Lyle Stubson 2002 Margaret Neu 2001 Burl Walter 2000 Larry Sutherland 1999 Joe Foster 1998 LeRoy Roach 1997 Dave Goedecke 1996 Bill Crane 1995 Sylvester McElroy 1994 Steve Connoly 1993 Ralph Bredenberg
