Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Texas Bandmasters Association will present Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus Val Rose with a Meritorious Achievement Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music Education at the organization's 2007 convention July 20 through 23 in San Antonio.

Following a tradition started in 2000, the association's board of directors annually recognizes individuals for their commitment and dedication to music education.

"Val Rose is known across the state as an outstanding band director," said Fred J. Allen, SFA's director of bands. "Because of his outstanding record as a band director, he was named the 2000 inductee into the Band Directors Hall of Fame at SFA."

Rose began his band directing career at the Gary and Joaquin schools while still a student at Stephen F. Austin State College in the early 1960s.

His first few full-time directing jobs quickly distinguished him as a capable director, explained Allen.

In 1964 Rose led the Overton High School Band to its first Sweepstakes Award (Division I ratings in University Interscholastic League marching, concert and sight reading competitions) in 14 years. The next year, under his direction, the Troup High School Band also received a Sweepstakes Award.

In 1966, Rose began a 13-year tenure at Jacksonville High School. While there, the band received eight consecutive Sweepstakes, the only ones in the school's history at that time.

In 1981, he led the White Oak High School Band to a Sweepstakes Award also.

Rose spent a few years working as a roadman for Tatum Music Company and then became the director of bands at Nederland in 1986. Under his leadership, the band grew from 86 members to over 260 during the early 1990s.

The Nederland Concert Band was recognized as a Texas Music Educators Association Honor Band finalist three times, and the marching band won best in class at the National Association of Military Marching Bands seven times.

Before retiring from Nederland in 2000, Rose promoted the construction of a Fine Arts Center with an auditorium capable of seating over 2,000 people. The center was completed that same year, and Rose's son, Greg, was hired to replace him.

Rose has also been active beyond his school campuses, serving as an officer in UIL Regions 4, 21and 10, including TMEA region chairman and band chairman, executive secretary, band contest chairman and state advisory council member. He is a charter member of Texas Music Adjudicators Association and a member of Bhi Beta Mu, an international school bandmasters fraternity.

"Val Rose is an inspiration to me and to my students at SFA," said Allen. "He dedicated his career to the young people of East Texas and the making of great music. His bands demonstrated that outstanding progress can be made when there is a dynamic leader on the podium."