W. Francis McBeth was born March 9th, 1933.

Sinfonia’s Man of Music for the 1988 Convention was William Francis McBeth, resident composer and professor and chairman of the theory-composition department at Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He has been awarded the Presley Award from Hardin-Simmons University, the ASCAP Special Award, the American School Ban Directors Association’s Edwin Ranko Goldman Award, and the Howard Hanson Prize from the Eastman School of Music. An initiate of the Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Texas, McBeth remains one of the most performed American symphonic wind composers. His works, including such pieces as “Kaddish”, “Joyant Narrative”, and “Masque” , are considered to be standard repertoire for most wind ensembles.

Sigmund G. Spaeth was born April 10th, 1885.

The 1958 “Man of Music” Award was given to Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, whose name was interwoven with American music for several decades. Dr. Spaeth was initiated into the Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Northwestern University in 1910. He was a music critic on several newspapers such as the “New York Times”, composer, arranger, conductor, performer, educator and editor of the “Music Journal.”Dr. Spaeth was also the author of several novels such as “A History of Popular Music in America” and “The Common Sense of Music.” These novels helped show the ties between popular songs of the time with old American folk songs. Spaeth’s knowledge of music lead to the premier of his NBC programs “Keys to Happiness” and “The Tune Detective.”

Maynard Ferguson was born May 4th, 1928.

A Canadian band leader and jazz musician, Maynard Ferguson was awarded the “Man of Music” Award in Cleveland, Ohio at the 2006 National Convention. An initiate of the Xi Chi Chapter at Tennessee Tech University, Ferguson rose to fame while a member of Stan Kenton’s orchestra. After his time with Kenton, he formed his own jazz band in 1957. Ferguson was known for his accuracy with the trumpet’s higher register and helped many up and coming musicians step up into the spot light through his numerous ensembles. Ferguson had the misfortune of dealing with the big time shift when most big bands fell the way side. Unlike most, he was able to survive the change and has survived the changing times by evolving with them, changing his musical style from big band swing, to cool jazz, to Latin, to jazz/rock and fusion and more.

Thor M. Johnson was born June 10th, 1913.

One of the first projects given to the Public Relations Committee of 1952 was the choice of a “Man of Music.” The award, named in memory of Charles E. Lutton, was first presented to Thor Johnson at the 1952 National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was given the award during his tenure as conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and led the 52’ Convention “Sinfonia Sinfonette.” Originally a collegiate member of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina, Johnson was made a National Honorary member in 1948, just one year after he was appointed music director of the Cincinnati Symphony. At the time, he became the youngest American-born conductor of a major American orchestra. During his time at the CSO, he helped premier over 120 American and European compositions, half of which he commissioned. In addition to his CSO experience, Johnson was also the founder of the Peninsula Music Festival, established in 1952.

Carlisle Floyd was born June 11th, 1926.

Brother Floyd is one of the most admired and widely performed opera composers and librettists of the last century. Known as the ‘Father of American Opera,’ he is credited with helping to create an American idiom in opera. Floyd’s most popular work, Susannah, has become one of the most performed American operas in history. Having debuted in 1956, in 1957 it won the New York Music Critic’s Circle Award and subsequently was chosen to be America’s official operatic entry at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. It has gone to achieve fame both in the United States and internationally. Other well-known works by Floyd include Of Mice and Men and Cold Sassy Tree.

Dave Grusin was born June 26th, 1934.

Academy Award-winning composer Dave Grusin was honored with the title “Man of Music” in 1991. Beginning with the study of classical piano, Grusin turned to jazz and toured with Andy Williams. His touring led him to his first role as a musical director when William’s show, named after him, took off. After William’s show, Grusin teamed up with Larry Rosen to form GRP Records. It was named the top contemporary/traditional jazz label of the 1990s by Billboard Magazine. Following the success of his record label, Grusin was awarded his first Academy Award for his Film Score from Milagro Beanfield War in 89’. He later went on to gain six Oscar nominations, one of which being for his score from the The Fabulous Baker Boys. The same score awarded him two Grammy Awards. In addition to movie scores, Grusin also composed for several TV shows, including programs such as Dan August, Maude, and Columbo:Prescription:Murder.