2023 Award Recipient – Vince Keenan
The CBDA Don Schmeer FRIEND OF MUSIC AWARD is 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. Past recipients include music education advocates, industry professionals, university educators, a California Governor, music lobbyists, and others.
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.
| 2023 | Vince Keenan | Shaghoian Concert Hall Technical Director |
| 2022 | Nick Estrada | Gottschalk Piano |
| 2021 | None | None |
| 2020 | Sonya Menapace | Fresno CVB |
| 2019 | Dr. Matthew Darling | California State University Fresno |
| 2018 | Doug Steinmetz | Yamaha Corporation of America |
| 2017 | Lynne Faulks | CBDA/CMEA Lobbyist |
| 2016 | Deborah Gibbs | CEO/Owner – World Projects |
| 2015 | Dr. Gary P. Gilroy | California State University Fresno |
| 2014 | Robert Long | Doubletree Fresno (formerly Radisson) |
| 2013 | Kirstine Alexander | The California Arts Project |
| 2012 | Bob Lutt | Cazadero Music Camp |
| 2011 | Richard Kirk | Music Industry |
| 2010 | Dave and Monika Strand | We Care! Coffee Company |
| 2009 | Glenn Roberts | Music Industry |
| 2008 | Nick Rail | Music Industry |
| 2007 | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Governor, State of California |
| 2006 | Kirby Fong | CBDA Photographer |
| 2005 | Jim Hart | Music Industry |
| 2004 | John Larreiu | CMEA Executive Director |
| 2003 | Bob Ward | Music Industry |
| 2002 | Max McKee | American Band College |
| 2001 | Dr. Tim Lautzenhiser | Music Educator/Speaker |
| 2000 | Paul Noll | Music Industry |
| 1999 | Carolyn Lindeman | Past President of CMEA |
| 1998 | Delaine Eastin | State Superintendent of Public Education |
| 1997 | Gordon Shaw | 1997 UC Irvine “Mozart Effect” |
| 1996 | Henry Use | LACAE Cal Coalition for the Arts |
| 1995 | Karl Bruhn | NAMM |
| 1994 | Don Schmeer | Music Industry |