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.