INDIANAPOLIS – Music for All has announced the music education leaders who will be inducted into the 2019 Bands of America Hall of Fame: Gayl W. Doster, Robert W. Smith, and David Starnes.
The Bands of America Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have had a positively life-changing impact on Music for All and Bands of America programs, as well as in music education. 2019 members will be inducted at a ceremony during the Gala Awards Banquet of the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha, on Saturday, March 16 in Indianapolis. Hall of Fame members are permanently recognized at Music for All’s Indianapolis headquarters.
Gayl W. Doster
Gayl W. Doster is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Music for All. Mr. Doster first connected with Music for All as an event volunteer and has served since not only as Chairman of the Board, but as a significant donor along with his wife Beverly. He is the retired President and Chief Operating Officer of Brooks Drug, Inc. Mr. Doster is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. While at Indiana University, he was a member of the Marching Hundred and numerous other musical organizations and is a life member of Kappa Kappa Psi. He serves on the Indiana University Eskenazi Museum of Art National Advisory Board and is a board member and Co-Treasurer of the Lawrence Central High School Performing Arts Association. Mr. Doster has been inducted into the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Business and Industry Hall of Fame, is a member of the Indiana University School of Business Alumni Association’s Academy of Alumni Fellows, is the 2009 recipient of the International Festival & Events Association Zambelli Internationale Volunteer of the Year Award, and was awarded the Indiana University Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2010.
Robert W. Smith
Robert W. Smith is one of the most popular and prolific composers in America today, with more than 800 publications. Mr. Smith’s credits include many compositions and productions in all areas of the music field. His original works for winds and percussion have been programmed by countless military, university, high school, and middle school bands throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South America, and Asia, and have become standards for developing bands throughout the world.
Mr. Smith’s music has received extensive airplay on major network television as well as inclusion in multiple motion pictures. As a conductor, clinician and keynote speaker, Mr. Smith has performed throughout North America, Asia, South America, Europe and Australia. Mr. Smith is a long-time member of Music for All’s faculty at the Summer Symposium and Music for All National Festival. He serves as the division coordinator for the Middle School/Young Teacher track of the Directors’ Academy at the Summer Symposium.
Mr. Smith is currently teaching in the Music Industry program at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
David Starnes
David Starnes is Assistant Professor/Director of Athletic Bands, where he directs the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and the Symphonic Band. Prior to coming to Western Carolina, Starnes was the founding Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he served for 11 years. His bands performed at Bands of America Championships, earning accolades on the Regional and National level. He is currently a Music for All Educational Consultant for student programs, is the camp director for the Student Divisions of the Summer Symposium, and program director for the Bands of America Honor Band, which appeared in the Tournament of Roses® Parade in Pasadena, California in 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017, and will appear again in 2021.
Mr. Starnes earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. He is sought out nationally and internationally as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor and creative designer. He serves as an adjudicator for several state, national and international organizations, including Music for All and Bands of America. He currently serves as Design Advisor for Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.
Congratulations to our 2019 Hall of Fame inductees!
