Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director Award
CHARLES EMMONS
In many ways Charlie Emmons was an enigma who wore many hats. After building an outstanding high school band program in Amarillo, Texas, he arrived at the University of Missouri as the added violist to the faculty string quartet.
In seemingly no time at all he had everyone across the state talking about Marching Mizzou…”have you heard?”… “a kick-step to the Missouri Waltz?!”… “what a sound!”… “cymbal spinners!”… neat arrangements!” He established traditions like the, “MIZZOU-TIGER flip” that live on today even after six decades!
His concert band appearances at the state convention were always the hot ticket. The third layer of his band program was a jazz component, which he put under the direction of his able staff member Larry Sutherland. I was just starting out as a beginning band director from another college, but I quickly realized here was a source of inspiration and encouragement, and I knew he was where I would go for my Masters degree (and I wasn’t disappointed). During my career of 56 years, I can think of no other individual in Missouri who has had the impact on school band programs as he did. Charlie was a firm and demanding leader with an impish sense of humor, who would give you the shirt off his back.
The recipients of this award should always be evaluated with the highest degree of expectations and it should be presented with dignity and honor.
Jerry Hoover
CHARLES EMMONS OUTSTANDING BAND DIRECTOR AWARD
1986 - ROBERT BOEDGES - NORMANDY
1987 - JOHN PATTERSON - HICKMAN
1988 - NO AWARD PRESENTED
1989 - JOHN BAKER - PARKWAY WEST
1990 - ROBERT DRUMMOND - GRANDVIEW
1991- JIM OLIVER - LEE'S SUMMIT
1992- GENE HUNT - WASHINGTON
1993 - WENDELL DOYLE - PLATTE CITY
1994 - JOHN BELL - PARK HILL
1995 - LARRY BENNETT - MACON
1996 - NICK LEIST - JACKSON
1997 - RUSSELL COLEMAN -CENTRAL MO STATE
1998 - BOB HANSON - WENTZVILLE
1999 - CHRIS BECKER - PARKWAY SOUTH
2000 - MARY LIGHTFOOT - KANSAS CITY
2001 - KEITH RUETHER - LEBANON
2002 - PAUL WARNEX - LIBERTY
2003 - NO AWARD PRESENTED
2004 - TODD REINHARDT - INDEPENDENCE
2005 - PAUL SWOFFORD -ST. CLAIR
2006 - ROB NICHOLS - HICKMAN
Beginning in 2006, this award includes a $200 student scholarship. Recipient(s) to be selected by the award winner.
2007 - DEE LEWIS - RETIRED
2008 - GARY ANDERS - GRANDVIEW
2009 - BOB SPIEGELMAN - LINDBERGH HS
2010 - TIM ALLSHOUSE - BLUE SPRINGS HS
2011 - DIANA WILLIAMS - WEBB CITY HS
2012 - KURT BAUCHE - FARMINGTON HS
2013 - STEVE LITWILLER - BOONVILLE HS
2014 - No Award Presented
2015 - LINDA HUCK - FARMINGTON HS
2016 - ROB BABEL - FT. ZUMWALT NORTH HS
2017 - PUAL BAUR - CAMDENTON HS
2018 - JIM CUNNINGHAM - WENTZVILLE HOLT HS
2019 - No Award Presented
2020 - No Award Presented
2021 - No Award Presented
2022 - No Award Presented
2023 - JAY JONES - Platte Co. R-3
2024 - CHRIS CHURCH - Willard and MSU
2025 - DENIS SWOPE - Columbia Hickman
BAND OF THE YEAR AWARD
1971 - RAYTOWN - ROBERT SCHUPP
1972 - PARK HILL - BILL MACK
1973 - CHILLICOTHE - CLAUDE T. SMITH
1974 - MARYVILLE - LEE T. SCHNEIDER
1975 - HICKMAN - JOHN PATTERSON
1976 - JEFFERSON CITY - JERRY HOOVER
1977 - MARSHFIELD - F.D. LEWIS
1978 - RUSKIN - JIM SNODGRASS
1979 - 82 - NO AWARD PRESENTED
1983 - SAVANNAH - MARK MITCHELL