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
| 2022 | Mike Gangemi (DONATE towards Scholarship fund here) | CBDA Board Member/Santiago HS |
| 2021 | None | None |
| 2020 | Rob van Loben Sels | CBDA Audition System Creator |
| 2019 | Steven Accatino | CBDA Treasurer |
| 2018 | Kirk Clague |
Former CBDA Exhibit Host/Exeter Union HS
|
| 2017 | Brandon Price | CBDA Past President/Mark Twain JHS |
| 2016 | Rowland Nielson | Retired/CBDA Board Member |
| 2015 | John Burn | CBDA Past President |
| 2014 | Dan Okamura | Madera Unified School District |
| 2013 | Paul Lucckesi | Director of Jazz Studes, Buchanan HS |
| 2012 | Michael D. Stone | CBDA President |
| 2011 | Norm Dea | CMEA President |
| 2010 | Don Wersky | CBDA Webmaster 2000-2009 |
| 2009 | Dr. Gary P. Gilroy | Director of Bands, CSU Fresno |
| 2008 | Dave Green | CMEA Band Representative |
| 2007 | Scott Grady | JW Pepper and Son Music |
| 2006 | Lisa Butts | Convention Host |
| 2005 | Roxanna Macheel | CBDA Past President |
| 2004 | Mike Corrigan | CBDA Past President |
| 2003 | John Abigana | CBDA Past President |
| 2002 | Meryl Wamhoff | Convention Host |
| 2001 | Mark Troxell | Byron Hoyt Sheet Music Service |
| 2000 | Michael Doty | CBDA Past President |
| 1999 | Marty Baum | CBDA Past President |
| 1998 | Art Holden | Past Board Member |
| 1997 | Edie Easterby | Music Industry |
| 1996 | Burl Walters | Past Board Member |
| 1995 | Ty West | CBDA Past President |
| 1994 | Jack Hagopian | Music Industry |
| 1993 | Bob Flentge | CBDA Past President |
| 1993 | Duane Weston | CBDA Past President |
| 1992 | Tony Mickela | CBDA Past President |
| 1991 | Joe Catanesi | Music Industry |
| 1990 | Bill Hill | CBDA Past President |
| 1989 | Lyle Stubson | CBDA Past President |
| 1989 | Jerry Kirkpatrick | CBDA Past President |
| 1989 | Ron Jones | CBDA Past President |
| 1988 | William Crane, Jr | CBDA Past President |
| – | Don Schmeer | Byron Hoyt Sheet Music Service |
| – | Joe and Donna Foster | CBDA Past President |
| – | Leroy Darling | First President of CBDA |