Symphony of the Hills Conductor and Artistic Director, Dr. Jay Dunnahoo, has been honored with the Outstanding Music Educator Award of the National Federation of State High School Assns.

Before moving to Kerrville and developing the community orchestra into the Symphony of the Hills, Dr. Dunnahoo had a long career in public school music education, including Director of Music Education in the 40,000-student Pasadena Independent School District. He also taught in San Angelo and Austin schools and San Jacinto College, and played in the San Angelo Symphony as well as in bands accompanying the Ice Capades and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

He continues to help students as a teacher and as Executive Secretary of the Texas Music Adjudicators Assn., a 1,000-member body of music competition judges affiliated with the state Music Educators Assn.

Dr. Dunnahoo received the national award--the only one given to a Texas educator--from Richard Floyd, Director of Music Activities of the University Interscholastic League, at the state convention of the TMEA in San Antonio. The citation says that the award is given "in grateful appreciation of outstanding service and unselfish devotion to interscholastic music programs."

He is a veteran of Army service, holds three university degrees including a doctorate from the University of Houston, and has been active in other areas here as a music instructor at Schreiner University; conductor of the Hill Country Youth Orchestras; elder, violinist, chancel choir member and substitute choir director in the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville; substitute choir conductor at the Kerrville First United Methodist Church, and in activities of the Kerrville Noon Rotary Club. He and his wife Jodie have four children and eight grandchildren.

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