Keith Bearden

Keith Bearden retired last year from Texas Tech University as an Associate Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands. He was director of the university's 380+ member "Goin' Band from Raiderland" marching band. The band was the 1998 recipient of the prestigious Sudler Trophy as the nation's top marching band. Among other performances, this Texas Tech band performed for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers, and Denver Broncos national football league clubs. While at Texas Tech, Mr. Bearden played trumpet in the faculty Brass Quintet and conducted the Concert Band and the Court Jesters Basketball Band. He taught classes in music education and conducting. In addition, he was the sponsor for Kappa Kappa Psi (collegiate band fraternity) and served on several campus committees.

Mr. Bearden taught in the Texas public schools for seven years prior to his appointment at Texas Tech. His marching, concert, and jazz bands consistently received superior ratings.

Mr. Bearden was a member of the US. Air Force Academy Band for four years and was principal trumpet of the concert band, a member of the Academy Brass Quintet, and played in the Falconaires jazz ensemble.

Over the years, Mr. Bearden has been presented with many honors. In 1979, Mr. Bearden was named Texas' "Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year" by Phi Beta Mu. He later went on to serve as the Vice President of the Alpha Chapter of the organization. In 1994, he received the honor of "Outstanding Faculty Member" at Texas Tech University by Mortar Board and Omicron Delta Kappa. The same year, the Court Jesters Basketball Band, under his direction, received the Texas Tech Ex-Students Association "Community Service Award." He also was a member of the selection committee for the John Philip Sousa Sudler Shield award which annually selects an outstanding high school band from international nominations.

Mr. Bearden continues to serve as clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator throughout the Southwestern United States. In the 1990s, Mr. Bearden was able to travel to Dublin, Ireland to serve as an adjudicator for the Irish Tourist Board at St. Patrick's week activities. He has given marching clinics at both the Colorado Bandmasters Convention and TBA Convention/Clinic. He was one of the conductors of the Phi Beta Mu Directors' Band at the TBA Convention / Clinic in 2003.

Mr. Bearden is a member of TMEA, TMAA, TBA, National Band Association, and College Band Directors National Association. He holds honorary memberships in Tau Beta Sigma and Phi Beta Mu. While at Texas Tech, he also served as District Governor for Kappa Kappa Psi for the Southwestern United States.