Don Lefevre Receives Top Instructional Award at WTAMU

Don Lefevre, associate professor of music and director of bands in the School of Music in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, was presented the Instructional Excellence Award.

Lefevre’s Symphonic Band recently was named the winner of the Presidential Order of the Silver Buffalo Award, presented to individuals and groups who have brought national or international recognition to WT. The band was recognized for being invited to perform at the 2023 College Band Directors National Association convention and the 2024 Texas Music Educators Association convention.

In the realm of teaching there can be no better marks of success than the accomplishments of one’s students, and recognition by peers. With those benchmarks, 2023 was a most eventful year for Don,” said Dr. B.J. Brooks, head of the WT School of Music. “In addition to the six hours per week of ensemble rehearsals, Don typically teaches an additional 10 hours of sectionals to prepare the Symphonic Band to perform at their consistent high level. In recognition of this high standard and consistent achievement, in July, the Texas Bandmasters Association awarded Don the Meritorious Achievement Award.”

Lefevre, a WT alumnus, joined the faculty in 1987. In 2008 and 2017, he earned his college’s Faculty Excellence Award, and previously won the University’s Faculty Teaching Excellence Award in 2003.