| Published January 7th, 2009 | Acalanes' New Director of Instrumental Music Receives Award | By Jean Follmer | ![](../issue0222/images/0222-02101.jpg) | Norman Dea
Photo provided
| Acalanes High School's new Director of Instrumental Music, Norman Dea, was awarded the Bandworld Legion of Honor Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation last month. The award was presented during the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Dea said he was one of only six Band Directors in the nation to receive the prestigious annual honor. The award is presented to exceptional Concert Band Directors who have taught for a minimum of 15 years.
Dea replaced Rick Meyer as the Director of Instrumental Music at Acalanes this year. Prior to leading the band program at Acalanes, Dea spent his entire 25-year career in a similar capacity at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. Under his direction, the performing groups at Las Lomas "have consistently received Unanimous Superior Ratings and Gold Awards at music festivals throughout California and abroad." Dea has accepted numerous awards including: The California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Outstanding Band Director in 2004, the CMEA Bay Area Outstanding Music Educator in 2005 and the California Band Directors Association (CBDA) Citation of Excellence in 2006. In 2003, Dea was honored as the Acalanes High School District Teacher of the Year. He is also listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in American Education.
Mr. Dea is very active in promoting music education in our schools and currently services as the President-elect of CMEA. He has also served in past leadership positions for CMEA. Dea is the Co-Founder of the Contra Costa County High School Honor Band and he currently serves on the Advisory Board for Cazadero Music Camp. Dea said he is honored "to work at Acalanes High School with such supportive colleagues as Mr. Bruce Lengacher, Mr. Bob Athayde and Mrs. Loretta McNulty and with such wonderful students and a supportive community."
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