Dr. Jared Spears is Professor of Music Emeritus at Arkansas State University. He was born in Chicago and received a B.S.E. degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University; B.M. and M.M. degrees in Percussion and Composition from the Cosmopolitan School of Music; and a D.M. degree in Composition from Northwestern University. His teachers include Blythe Owen, Alan Stout, and Anthony Donato. Post-doctoral studies include the study of music for film and television at MGM, Lorimar, 20th Century Fox, and Evergreen Studios under the guidance of John Cacavas.
Dr. Spears has taught theory, music history, composition, percussion, and band on all educational levels from elementary school through college. His awards include the Faricy Award for Creative Music from Northwestern University, the Award of Merit from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Federation of Music Clubs, Outstanding Educators of America, International Who’s Who in Music, Who’s Who in the World of Percussion-U.S.A., Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, Sigma Alpha Iota National Arts Associate, and several American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Awards. During his tenure at Arkansas State Dr. Spears received the University President’s Award for the outstanding faculty member as well as an appointment as a President’s Fellow.
To date Dr. Spears has composed music for radio and television commercials and produced more than 350 original published works for band, choir, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. His music has been performed and recorded, and he has conducted band festivals, music camps, and clinics worldwide. His music has also been the subject of numerous articles in music journals and texts and he is considered one of the most performed American composers of wind and percussion music. Dr. Spears has appeared at several universities as a guest lecturer.
