CBDA President's Award

The current CBDA President selects an individual or individuals(s) who have given to music education in the state of California.

Don Schmeer Friend of Music Award

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

Distinguished Service Award Criteria:

• Selfless service to the California Band Directors Association, and it’s activities
• Continuous support of Music Education in California
• Continuous support of the California All-State Music Educators Conference and it’s affiliated organizations
• Continual efforts in mentoring other music educators in the state

David Goedecke Lifetime Achievement Award

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: