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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 45
BY SENATOR LONG AND REPRESENTATI VES BROWN AND PEARSON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To commend William "Bill" Brent as the inaugural inductee in the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and
Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame and recognize
his many years of dedicated service to Northwestern State University.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the Legislature of Louisiana and the citizens
of Louisiana recognize Bill Brent as the inaugural inductee in the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and
Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame and recognizes his many
years of dedicated service to Northwestern State University; and
WHEREAS, Bill's fascination with music began at an early age, playing the piano
at age six, and the trombone at age ten, and was a section leader in the Bonham, Texas, High
School Warrior Band; and
WHEREAS, in 1974 Bill earned a Bachelor of Music Education at the University of
Texas at Austin and in 1981 a Master of Music in Conducting; and
WHEREAS, Bill's first jobs as a band director were in Austin, Texas, at Pearce
Middle School and McCallum High School, where the marching 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 ten in the Texas Music Educator's Association "Honor
Band" competition; and
WHEREAS, after earning his master's degree, he returned to Louisiana joining the
staff at Nicholls State University; and
WHEREAS, over thirty years ago Northwestern State University (NSU) made the
wise decision to hire Bill Brent, and Bill's dedication and enthusiasm have been a huge asset
to the university because his commitment and superior teaching techniques have earned NSU
numerous awards and accolades; and
WHEREAS, Bill has served as Director of Bands, Director of CAPA and Conductor
of the NSU Wind Symphony, and through three presidents, numerous vice presidents and
alumni directors, he built one of the best marching band programs in the nation; and SCR NO. 45 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, during his tenure at NSU, the band program has grown from forty-eight
members to more than three hundred members and, with Bill's leadership, the School of
Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) has been endowed with more than $2.5 million in
private scholarship funds and $4 million in grants, and in addition, all academic programs
in the School of CAPA have been accredited by national accrediting agencies, and the Board
of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System has designated the school as an "Area
of Excellence"; and
WHEREAS, among his professional organization memberships are the Louisiana
Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Texas Music
Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu, and he was
elected into the prestigious and elite membership of the American Bandmasters Association;
and
WHEREAS, Bill has received many distinct honors, which include the National
Council of Kappa Kappa Psi honoring him with the A. Frank Martin Award in 1997 and in
2002; he received the highest honor bestowed by NSU to members of the faculty when he
was presented with the Northwestern "Distinguished Service Award" in 2007, and
recognized as an "Honorary Alumnus" of Northwestern State University in 2011 and in
2012; he also received the Outstanding Bandmaster Award from the International
Bandmasters Fraternity, and was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame
and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame along with such Louisiana music legends as Bill
Conti and Ellis Marsalis; and
WHEREAS, the distinction of being named the inaugural member of the CAPA Hall
of Fame is one of many accomplishments in Bill's thirty-plus years as a music educator and
mentor to thousands of Northwestern State students and colleagues, and the band hall in the
A.A. Fredericks Creative and Performing Arts Building at NSU has since been named in his
honor; and
WHEREAS, he is in constant demand among his colleagues as a clinician, guest
conductor, and adjudicator in Louisiana and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon men like
William "Bill" Brent who share their extraordinary talents and gifts and dedicate their lives SCR NO. 45 ENROLLED
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to guiding and teaching others to find and share their gifts and talents with the world; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana wishes to honor William "Bill" Brent for his
success and the positive impact he has made on education, music, Northwestern State
University, the City of Natchitoches and the state of Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
honor, commend, and congratulate William "Bill" Brent as the inaugural inductee in the Mrs.
H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame and
recognizes his many years of dedicated service to Northwestern State University.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be presented to
William "Bill" Brent.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES