West Virginia University Associate Director of Bands John Hendricks, who directs the Mountaineer Marching Band, has been named West Virginia Band Director of the Year for 2002-2003 by the West Virginia Chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity. The service organization promotes music education in West Virginia.

“John Hendricks is literally an icon of quality in our state,”said Pat Garrett, band director at Wheeling Park High School and secretary/treasurer of the West Virginia Chapter of Phi Beta Mu.”We are proud to honor someone of such strength of character and efficiency in teaching.”

Past winners of the Band Director of the Year award include John Lynch, Sr., band director at Martinsburg High School, and Richard Frush, band director at Keyser High School.

Lynch and Frush presented Hendricks with the award during a WVU Concert Band event April 6. Hendricks also directs the Concert Band, which was selected as one of the honor ensembles to perform at the West Virginia Music Educators Association (WVMEA) conference last year.

In addition to directing the Mountaineer Marching and Concert Bands, Hendricks assists the Wind Symphony and teaches several music education courses. He also serves as assistant chair of the Division of Music and is the former director of Mountaineer Music Camp.

Hendricks is originally from Shepherdstown and is a graduate of Jefferson High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from WVU and served as a band director in public schools in West Virginia and at Rutgers University. He actively serves as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the East and is a member of several professional organizations, including the College Band Directors National Association. He is a member of the Executive Board of the WVMEA .