Boyd M. McKeown, Founding Member and First Vice President of the Zeta Chapter
History
The Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu was founded in 1955 and held its first meeting at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) State Conference in January of the same year. The Chapter’s Charter Members were Robert Barr (President); Boyd Milton McKeown; Earl E. Beach (Vice President); Guyton Stanley McLendon; William Harden Robinson Jr., (Secretary/Treasurer); Donald E. Rich; Tolman Dewan Gharst; Dale Edward Rush; John W. Hambrick; William Edwin Tillison; Rodney T. Jonas; Eueary Tascar Williams; and Len B. Lastinger. The first initiates into the group were Dick Bissett; Harold Bradley; Sandy Campbell; Roger Dancz; Joe Kirschner; Ken Krouse; M.J. Newman; Steve Pyron; and E.W. Woods.
Initiatives
The chapter offers statewide teacher mentoring programs free of charge and serves as consultants and program evaluators where needed. This network is put into place to better serve the newest and brightest directors in our profession and to elevate music education within our state.
The Zeta Chapter also believes in commissioning new works of music to contribute to the standard band repertoire. Our most recent commission was “Down in the River” by Jay Bocook, which received its premiere at the Georgia Music Educators Association Convention on January 27, 2017. It was dedicated to the memory of the deceased members of the Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and was premiered by the Georgia Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. David Gregory. The chapter also contributed to the 2020 Quincy Hilliard Commissioning Project developed by Phi Beta Mu International. This project resulted in the piece “Rejoice, Dolce and Dance” which will soon be available.
Membership
The Zeta Chapter’s current membership stands at 117 Active Members and 90 Retired/Inactive Members.