Posted by
Bill Cherry on Saturday, August 15, 2009 10:05:43 AM
Leon Breeden to received honorary doctorate at UNT
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- Leon Breeden, who was director of the University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program and the One O'Clock Lab Band from 1959 to 1981, was awarded an honorary doctorate at UNT's doctoral commencement ceremony. The ceremony was Aug. 14, 2009 in the Murchison Performing Arts Center, located along the north side of Interstate 35E at North Texas Boulevard.
The degree is awarded by the university to a candidate who has demonstrated high standards of excellence through his or her scholastic achievements, professional accomplishments, philanthropy or public service record.
Under Breeden's direction, UNT's jazz studies program rose to international prominence. It was during his tenure that world-renowned bandleader Stan Kenton discovered the jazz program, the first of its kind in the country, at the Notre Dame National Jazz Festival. That event is widely considered to be a breakthrough for the program's ongoing international reputation.
During this period, Breeden also took over direction of the One O'Clock Lab Band, a name that developed when he moved the rehearsal time for the premiere band up to 1 p.m. from 2 p.m.
Before he stepped down, the lab bands celebrated many "firsts" under Breeden's direction, such as becoming the first college or university band to appear at the White House by presidential invitation in 1967. The lab bands also received almost 50 national awards for group performance and for individual performance.
In addition to spurring the nation's first bachelor's degree program in jazz studies, Breeden also developed a reputation for himself beyond the university to become a respected clarinetist, saxophonist, arranger and composer. His arrangements were performed by many groups, including the Boston Pops and the Cleveland and the Cincinnati orchestras.
He received an Outstanding Professor honor in 1976 from UNT. The Texas Legislature proclaimed May 3, 1981, "Leon Breeden Day."
In 1985, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the National Association of Jazz Educators. The North Texas Jazz Festival unveiled a Leon Breeden Award for the best middle school or high school big band in 2003.
Now a professor emeritus of music, Breeden was recognized as an Honorary Alumnus at UNT in 1986 and has played important roles at many of the jazz program's celebrations and milestone anniversaries.
Breeden earned a bachelor of arts in music education and master of music education from Texas Christian University. He was awarded an honorary "Doctor of Letters" degree by TCU in 2001.
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