A Special Award of
The John Philip Sousa Foundation
Jody Dunn has been the band director at Crestview High School in Crestview, Florida for the last 20 years. Before that, he spent time at Pickering High School and Richbourg Middle School. His ensembles have received all superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Concert MPA and State Concert MPA, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Band Festival, and the Smoky Mountain Music Festival.
As a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association, he served as District 1 secretary, the Ethics Committee Chair, on the Music Selection Committee, and as the Marching Band Task Force Chair. He received the Florida Bandmasters Association Oliver Hobbs Award, the National Band Associate Certificate of Merit, and the Otto J. Kraushaar Award (9 times). Jody is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, and serves on the Phi Beta Mu International Board of Directors.
- The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business.
- Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high-quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music.
- Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
- Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dunn received his Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.
When asked what factors do you consider most important in shaping your career, Jody states, “My own experience in band fueled my desire to provide those same feelings to others. My teachers became my heroes and I have spent my career doing my best to repay them for all they gave to me. My family connections to Crestview and the teaching profession also inspired me to want to come back home and give back to my community. A supportive administration, community, staff, parents and the best students in the world have all combined to have an incredibly positive influence on my career. The guidance, continuing education and high standards set by the Florida Bandmasters Association cannot be over-emphasized in terms of shaping my career.”
“My professional philosophy can best be captured by the words of Louis Pasteur. He said, “When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments – tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become”. “I center my approach on the children entrusted to me. I use music to reach them where they are and to take them further than they ever imagined possible. It is my calling to create lifelong consumers of music and intelligent, discerning advocates for artistic pursuits in all aspects of their lives.”
