Crestview High School’s Band Director Jody Dunn has been presented with the Florida Bandmasters Association’s (FBA) Oliver Hobbs Award.

According to the Florida Bandmasters Association, this award recognizes FBA members who have consistently done an exceptional job year after year in the position of band director.

In order for a band director to win this award, the following criteria must be met:

• FBA Member for at least 15 years and a current band director in the state of Florida
• Attends FBA District and State meetings on a regular basis
• Superior (at least 75% of the time) ratings at the District Concert and Marching assessments.
• Participation and with outstanding results at the District music performance assessments.
• Service to the profession. (District Officer, served on FBA/ FMEA/FSMA committees, etc, and/or helps with the MPA’s and other FBA events.)

Each district across the state can nominate one person through a secret ballot. Each nominee then has to provide three letters of recommendation. A committee then selects the year’s award recipients based on the applications submitted and other outside knowledge.

There are only up to 4 recipients selected per year.

Since its inception in 2006, there have only been 45 band directors across the state to receive this award. Six of those 45 have been from District 1 (our district) and include:

• Randy Folsom – Fort Walton Beach High School
• Joe Hooten – Richborg & Tate Senior High School
• Daniel Wooten – Niceville High School
• Eddie Steadman – Ruckle Middle School
• Jeff Adams – Niceville High School
• Tim Willis – Escambia

“It is a career highlight, for sure, because I was nominated by my peers,” said Dunn. “That is a very high honor because of the respect I have for all of the band directors here in District 1.”

“It means a great deal personally and professionally to be given an award named for Oliver Hobbs,” continued Dunn. “It is one of the greatest awards because of Oliver’s involvement in music throughout Florida. He was an incredible man and he’s one of our heroes so to get this award in his name is very humbling.”

According to Mr. Dunn, Oliver Hobbs is credited with setting the high standards for excellence and performance in the state of Florida. Having spent most of his career in the Tallahassee area as a long-time band director, Hobbs helped shape what is now known as the Florida Bandmasters Association.

At the Okaloosa County School Board workshop on Thursday morning, Board Member Tim Bryant recognized Dunn’s accomplishment saying, “Congratulations to Mr. Dunn on receiving this prestigious award.”

“For those of you who know how dedicated all of our band directors are, you know that we have some of the finest bands in all of the United States,” continued Bryant. “And it is because of people like Mr. Dunn, who give their time and effort, that we have such marvelous band programs in our county.”