CLARENCE WILLIAM (BILL) BRUNNER, JR.
Instruments: Conductor, Educator
Date of Birth: 1937
Place of Birth: Cullman, Alabama
Bill" Brunner attended Cullman High School from 1952-1955. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1959 with the B.S. Degree and received his M.A. Degree in 1962. He attended the University of Alabama on a full tuition French Horn scholorship.
He taught at Vigor High School in Prichard, Alabama from 1959 to 1963. At Vigor High School he was band director, Initiated instrumental technique classes, and taught class in choral music.The Vigor Band performed in State Band Competition Festival for the first time in school history under Mr. Brunner. He organized the band program for the then new Austin High School in Decatur, Al. and served as band director and coordinator of high school, middle school, and elementary bands until his retirement in 1988.
The Austin High School received many honors including twenty-two consecutive Superior ratings and two excellent ratings at the Alabama Bandmasters State Band Competion Festival. The band received many superior ratings and "Best In Class" awards at the Six Flags Over Goergia Invitational Festival, the Dogwood Arts Festival, the Smoky Mountains Music Festival, the All-American Band Festival, and the Dixie Class Music Festival.
The Austin High School Band was the first guest honor band to perfrom for the Alabama Music Educator's Association Convention in 1984. The band was the guest performing band at the Southeastern United States Band Festival in 1984 and was the invited performing band from Alabama at the Tri-State Band Festival held at Florida State University.
Mr. Brunner has served as District Chairman, Vice-President-President Elect and as President of the Alabama Bandmasters Association.He was a member of the Music Educator's National Conference, the Alabama Music Educator's Association and the Alabama Bandmasters Associaiton.He was also a member of the National Education Association, the Alabama Education Association and the Decatur Education Association. He was the Decatur Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator in 1971; the Decatur City Secondary Teacher of the Year and the Alabama District Teacher of the Year in 1988. He is a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and has served as choir director, President of Voter's Assembly, Financial Secretary, Secretary, and served on the Board of Elders.
Mr. Brunner was elected to the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1988.
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