NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/16/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Bill Brent has been named the recipient of the 2002 President's Distinguished Service Award at Northwestern State University. Brent is director of the Mrs. H.D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, director of bands and an associate professor of music at Northwestern.

Brent will be recognized at the annual Homecoming Banquet Friday, Oct. 18 and at the Homecoming Game Oct. 19.

"Bill Brent is one of the people that makes Northwestern special," said NSU president Dr. Randall J. Webb. "The 'Spirit of Northwestern' Marching Band is one of the best in the country and creates pride in supporters of the university each time it performs. Under his leadership, the Mrs. H.D. Dear, Sr. and Alice Estelle Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts has brought prestige to Northwestern and enriched the Natchitoches community."

Brent has been at Northwestern for 19 years. In that time, he has built one of the best marching band programs in the South, increasing the number of members from 48 to more than 300. He has also served as conductor of the NSU Wind Symphony which has been chosen to perform at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Regional Conference.

"I was shocked and humbled to learn I would receive this honor," said Brent. "There are many people at Northwestern who work extremely hard and deserve this honor before me."

Under Brent's leadership, the former Department of Creative and Performing Arts was designated as a School, due to its growth and reputation throughout the region. The School has received more than $1.8 million in private scholarship funds, more than $1 million in grants and has been the recipient of two endowed professorships.

"Bill Brent is one of the main reasons I decided to come to Northwestern because I observed his work with the band. He does outstanding work and it is noticed." said Dr. Jack Wann, coordinator of NSU's theatre program since 1989. "Bill has been my mainstay. He is someone I always feel like I can go to. As an artist, educator, colleague and friend, he is top drawer in all areas."

Brent earned a bachelor of music education and master of music education at the University of Texas. He was a teacher in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District. Brent
was director of bands at McCallum High School where his band was twice named in the top five in the University Interscholastic League State Marching Contest and the Symphonic Band was named in the Top 10 in the Texas Music Educators' Association Honor Band Competition.

"I knew when I came to Northwestern that we had the finest facilities for the arts in the state, so I wanted to help develop a vibrant program that would enhance the university, the community and the region," said Brent. "Because of the work of the faculty and the support of the university administration and the community, we present a schedule of cultural events comparable to what one would find in a large city. We want to put to use what the state has entrusted to us."

The NSU Theatre has gained a strong reputation as one of the best undergraduate programs in the South. Graduates have moved into top graduate programs in theatre and are working professionally across the country. The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony is a joint effort of the university and the community. Natchitoches is one of the smallest communities in the United States to have a regularly performing symphony orchestra. The NSU Jazz Orchestra has performed with artists including Maynard Ferguson, Ellis Marsalis and Byron Stripling.

Northwestern's Chamber Choir has performed at Carnegie Hall. Vocal performance students have regularly won honors in statewide and regional competitions. The university and community also benefit from an active visual arts program. Visual arts faculty exhibit works in juried competitions throughout the country and students present their work in campus art galleries.

Brent is quick to credit the School's faculty with helping each program develop a strong reputation. He said the faculty is willing to work closely with students to develop their individual talent.

"A successful program in the arts demands hands on training," said Brent. "Students work closely with our faculty who spend the time necessary to help them."

A family atmosphere extends to the band program which draws students with a variety of academic majors.

"The best recruiters for the band are the band students," said Brent. "They genuinely care about one another and that helps us recruit students and keep them here."

Past recipients of the President's Distinguished Service Award include E. Loneta Graves, Dr. Hiram F. Gregory, Elise P. James, Mildred Moore and Dr. Ernest O. "Slim" Howell.

Main Menu