Belva Worthen Prather
Throughout her 45-year career, Dr. Belva Prather has been active as a performer, an administrator, and a teacher at the elementary, junior high, high school, and university levels. Upon receiving her undergraduate degree from Arkansas Tech University, she taught for two years at Harding University in Searcy, AR, and upon receiving her graduate degree from Northwestern University, Dr. Prather taught for two years at Evanston Township High School, and for ten years in the Deerfield, IL school district. While teaching in the Chicago area, she continued her passion for performance by playing in the Northshore Concert Band under the direction of John Paynter.
In 1986, Dr. Prather moved to Springfield, Missouri to become the flute instructor at (what was then) Southwest Missouri State University. Upon receiving her doctorate from the University of Arkansas, Dr. Prather became the conductor of the MSU Wind Ensemble. Now in her 28th
“You will not find another music educator, and more importantly – simply a person, who has a higher level of professionalism, moral background, and ethical conduct than Dr. Belva Prather”
“Ensuring that music education in Missouri has a bright future by continually supplying quality teachers is part of the legacy of Dr. Prather. A true servant of music and a role model for all aspiring young teachers, that’s Belva!” In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Prather is active in many professional organizations and associations, and has served those organizations in various capacities, including serving as the College/ University Vice-President for MMEA. She is the recipient of 2 Excellence in Teaching awards from Missouri State University and was inducted into the Missouri Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame in 2013. Dr. Prather remains active as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, and has served in that capacity in 28 states & nine European countries.
Russell and Dorothy Chambers Outstanding Contributor Award
year
Belva Prather accepts the Hall of Fame award from Rob Nichols
at Missouri State University, Dr. Prather conducts the wind ensemble, wind symphony, and the concert band, as well as teaching graduate research, advanced conducting, and wind band literature.
Throughout her tenure at MSU, ensembles under her direction have presented performances of distinction at the Southwest CBDNA Conference, the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, and she and her ensembles have made nine appearances at the annual MMEA Conference.
Perhaps more impressive than her performance or teaching accomplishments, is her unrelenting dedication to her students, her peers and her colleagues. As noted by her colleagues in the following quotes, Dr. Prather continues to be a role model for all, in and out of the rehearsal room, as well as on and off of the performance stage.
“Belva is demanding of her students, not only musically, but morally as well. We would be hard pressed to find a more accomplished, successful candidate for this award with which we recognize and honor our most outstanding teachers”
26 Rob Nichols, MMEA Past-president
The Russell and Dorothy Chambers Outstanding Contributor Award is given by the MMEA Board of Directors to recognize an individual, organization, or corporation who/which has contributed in an extraordinary manner to the support of music education in Missouri.
Members of the J.W. Pepper staff receive the Russell and Dorothy Chambers Outstanding Contributor Award
The 2014 Russell and Dorothy Chambers Outstanding Contributor Award was presented to J.W. Pepper on Friday, January 24, 2014. J.W Pepper provides MMEA with continued support and sponsorship through the annual printing and shipping the Missouri All-State Programs, as well as providing conference attendees with valuable resources year after year.
MISSOURI SCHOOL MUSIC| Volume 68, Number 3
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