W. Francis McBeth

William Francis McBeth was born March 9 1933 in Ropesville, Texas (near Lubbock). He attended Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. McBeth is a prolific composer, whose musical repertoire has become a universal standard in wind band literature. He is also one of the most respected conductors of the present day.

McBeth has received the ASCAP Special Award every year since 1965. In 1988, he was awarded Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award for his achievement and continued contribution to American music.

From 1957 until his retirement in 1996, McBeth taught at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. In 1975, he was named Composer Laureate of Arkansas, the first Composer Laureate named in the United States.

His major wind works include:
*Chant and Jubilo
*Praises
*Canto
*Cavata
*Masque
*Kaddish
*Joyant Narrative
*To Be Fed By Ravens
*Capriccio Concertant
*Wine From These Grapes
*Of Sailors and Whales
*When Rossi Strikes
*When Honor Whispers and Shouts
*The Dream Catcher
*Divergents
*The Seventh Seal
*Drammatico
*Scaramouche

In 1962, McBeth conducted the Arkansas All-State Band. One of its members of the tenor saxophone section was future president Bill Clinton.

He served as the third conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from 1970 until 1973.

In a recent visit to Christopher Newport University, McBeth said, "I've always hated The Beatles. Four boys from Liverpool with fake Alabama accents... and everything they play, they stole from Little Richie."