Sigma Alpha Iota

saI-natIOnal.ORg sPRIng 2014 PAN PIPES 25 dr. JeFFrey r. cox Dr. Jeffery R. Cox was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Lambda Phi Chapter in April. e Chairman of the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. Cox received a Bachelor's and Master's from the Eastman School of Music and a Master's and Doctorate from the Yale School of Music. He has served as Professor and Chair, Department of Music at the University of New Orleans, as Acting Chair for the Department of Music Texas Christian University, and Professor of Violin at Texas Christian University and Central Washington University. Active in Suzuki Association of the Americas, Dr. Cox has served as chair, president, and member of its Board of Directors. He created the first Washington State Suzuki Festival, taught Suzuki Workshops in several states, and participated in the development of the SAA's Teacher Trainer Application process. He established Suzuki Training Programs at Central Washington University and Texas Christian University and directed the Texas Christian University Suzuki Institute. He received Faculty Development grants from Central Washington University for Suzuki Teaching Observation in Japan and was first recipient of the Suzuki Association of the Americas' Outstanding Leadership Award. Dr. Cox has performed in chamber ensembles and orchestras on- and off-campuses where he taught. As an administrator, he has attracted important and on-going funding, organized festivals and concert series, guided non-profits as they experienced major organizational changes, and moved struggling organizations to more secure ground. In 1991, as part of a national search, Dr. Cox was selected as a fellow for the Kellogg Leadership Program providing diversity training, and training in advocacy, spirituality, media relations, and conflict resolution. As a part of the Fellowship, he traveled to Israel, the Gaza Strip, India, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Egypt. His principal topic of study during the fellowship was the teaching of acceptance between peoples. dr. don ester Dr. Don Ester was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Iota Chi Chapter in March. Dr. Ester, Professor of Music Education, joined the Ball State University School of Music faculty in the fall of 1992. A 1980 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, he holds a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University, where he studied choral conducting with Lloyd Pfautsch, and a Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Ester has taught in the public schools as well as at the university level and has served as a full-time church musician. He was previously the Director of Choral Activities in the Bloomington, Illinois, Public Schools; Instructor of Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Director of Music Ministries at the Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IL. He is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for choirs of all ages. He has conducted All-State Children's Choirs in Indiana, South Dakota, and Colorado. Since 1990 he has presented over 125 clinics throughout the nation and served as guest conductor for over 75 festival choirs. He founded and directed the White River Youth Choir from 1994 to 2008, leading them on performing tours in the US, Brazil, and Japan. His research and publication focuses on music literacy pedagogy, the adolescent voice, and instructional strategies. Ester's publications include articles in the Music Educators Journal, Choral Journal, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Contributions to Music Education, and Journal of Research In Singing. He is co-author of e Evaluation of Student Teachers Guidebook and a contributing author to Strategies for Teaching: Guide for Music Methods Classes and Spotlight On Transition To Teaching Music. Ester is also the author of Sound Connections: A Comprehensive Approach To Teaching Music Literacy published by Educational Exclusives. Dr. Ester served as coordinator of music education from 1998 to 2011. His present responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and graduate music education courses. He received the 1998 Ball State University Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2006 Indiana Outstanding University Music Educator of the Year Award. As an accomplished pianist/ accompanist and singer, he serves as Praise & Worship Leader at First Presbyterian, Muncie, Indiana. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and a research member of the Music Educators National Conference. He has served on the board of the Indiana Choral Directors Association and the Indiana Music Educators Association. He is a past National Chair of the Society for Music Teacher Education. dr. BarBara harBach Dr. Barbara Harbach was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter in March. A professor of music at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, she has a large catalog of works, including: symphonies, operas, string orchestras, musicals, works for chamber dIstInguIshed memBers natIOnal aRts assOCIatE a man or woman who is nationally recognized for distinguished contribution to the arts DISTINGUISHED continued on page 26

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