Becker Elected To Indiana Band Director Hall Of Fame
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The award will be presented at Purdue University March 14 at the Indiana Bandmasters All State Band Concert. The award is presented by Phi Beta Mu, Gamma Chapter.
Phi Beta Mu is the highest honorary international band director's fraternity. It was organized to encourage the building of better bands, the development of better musicians in schools throughout the world and to foster deeper appreciation of good music and more wide spread public interest.
Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu was organized and the charter members initiated on Nov. 27, 1953, at the state convention of the Indiana Music Educators Association.
There is only one director elected to the Hall of Fame per year.
Becker has been an adjunct professor at Grace College for eight years, where he directs the wind ensemble, teaches music education classes and supervises student teachers. He also directs the Lake Area Community Band. He belongs to the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club and directs the Optimist Singers. He plays trumpet with the Truth in Jazz big band in Elkhart.
In 1986, Becker became director of bands at Warsaw Community High School. While at Warsaw, he directed the marching band, wind ensemble, concert band and jazz bands. Under his direction, these groups were consistently given Superior Rating at ISSMA events. His wind ensembles were state finalist seven times, placing fourth in 1988.
In addition, the WCHS color guard and percussion groups were consistent state and national finalists.
The Warsaw Tigers Pride Band performed in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade twice, Chicago Christmas Parade, Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossom Festival and New York City. The marching band and percussion competed in the Bands of America Regional and Grand Nationals.
In 1989, the Warsaw band received the Grand Championship Award at the Festival of Music in Toronto, Canada.
Becker retired from WCHS in 2002.
He has twice served as the president of the Indiana State Music Association and is also a president of the Indiana Bandmasters. In 1994, he was awarded the Phi Beta Mu Indiana Outstanding Bandmasters Award at the All State Band weekend. He has received the Indiana Music Educators Distinguished Music Educator's Award.[[In-content Ad]]In 2002, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Ball State University.
He is an active judge and contest official for ISSMA and also judges for Music in the Parks. He continues to be a guest conductor and clinician for IMEA non-competitive and Indiana Bandmasters Association. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and teaches private lessons in the Warsaw area. He has directed the Herald Trumpets for the Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics and twice at the Maryland State Games.
After graduating from Morehead State University in 1969, Becker taught in Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio for 10 years. His bands won many marching, color guard and concert band awards, including both a State and National Drill Team Championship. His concert bands in Greenville, Ohio, were state finalists four times. He also directed the Greenville Park band for five years. In 1976, his Greenville Band was chosen to perform at Riverfront Stadium and appeared on national television for the Cincinnati Bengals pregame and halftime shows.
In 1978, he received his master's degree in music education from Ball State University.
Becker served on the staff of the Ball State Mid-America music camps for 13 years. Also in 1978, he became director of bands at Marion High School, where his bands received Superior Ratings in marching, concert and jazz. His Marion marching band was a State Fair finalist three years. In 1985 and 1986 his Marion Concert Bands were finalist in the ISSMA State Finals. Becker was also a member of the Marion Philharmonic.
Becker has been teaching instrumental music for a total 42 years.
The award will be presented at Purdue University March 14 at the Indiana Bandmasters All State Band Concert. The award is presented by Phi Beta Mu, Gamma Chapter.
Phi Beta Mu is the highest honorary international band director's fraternity. It was organized to encourage the building of better bands, the development of better musicians in schools throughout the world and to foster deeper appreciation of good music and more wide spread public interest.
Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Mu was organized and the charter members initiated on Nov. 27, 1953, at the state convention of the Indiana Music Educators Association.
There is only one director elected to the Hall of Fame per year.
Becker has been an adjunct professor at Grace College for eight years, where he directs the wind ensemble, teaches music education classes and supervises student teachers. He also directs the Lake Area Community Band. He belongs to the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club and directs the Optimist Singers. He plays trumpet with the Truth in Jazz big band in Elkhart.
In 1986, Becker became director of bands at Warsaw Community High School. While at Warsaw, he directed the marching band, wind ensemble, concert band and jazz bands. Under his direction, these groups were consistently given Superior Rating at ISSMA events. His wind ensembles were state finalist seven times, placing fourth in 1988.
In addition, the WCHS color guard and percussion groups were consistent state and national finalists.
The Warsaw Tigers Pride Band performed in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade twice, Chicago Christmas Parade, Washington, D.C., Cherry Blossom Festival and New York City. The marching band and percussion competed in the Bands of America Regional and Grand Nationals.
In 1989, the Warsaw band received the Grand Championship Award at the Festival of Music in Toronto, Canada.
Becker retired from WCHS in 2002.
He has twice served as the president of the Indiana State Music Association and is also a president of the Indiana Bandmasters. In 1994, he was awarded the Phi Beta Mu Indiana Outstanding Bandmasters Award at the All State Band weekend. He has received the Indiana Music Educators Distinguished Music Educator's Award.[[In-content Ad]]In 2002, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Ball State University.
He is an active judge and contest official for ISSMA and also judges for Music in the Parks. He continues to be a guest conductor and clinician for IMEA non-competitive and Indiana Bandmasters Association. He is a member of the International Trumpet Guild and teaches private lessons in the Warsaw area. He has directed the Herald Trumpets for the Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics and twice at the Maryland State Games.
After graduating from Morehead State University in 1969, Becker taught in Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio for 10 years. His bands won many marching, color guard and concert band awards, including both a State and National Drill Team Championship. His concert bands in Greenville, Ohio, were state finalists four times. He also directed the Greenville Park band for five years. In 1976, his Greenville Band was chosen to perform at Riverfront Stadium and appeared on national television for the Cincinnati Bengals pregame and halftime shows.
In 1978, he received his master's degree in music education from Ball State University.
Becker served on the staff of the Ball State Mid-America music camps for 13 years. Also in 1978, he became director of bands at Marion High School, where his bands received Superior Ratings in marching, concert and jazz. His Marion marching band was a State Fair finalist three years. In 1985 and 1986 his Marion Concert Bands were finalist in the ISSMA State Finals. Becker was also a member of the Marion Philharmonic.
Becker has been teaching instrumental music for a total 42 years.
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