the Governor's Arts Award Winners

William Clark

Las Cruces

2015 Recipient, Individual Artist

Dr. Clark was director of bands at New Mexico State University (NMSU) from 1985 to 1994 and then headed the NMSU Music Department where he is credited with doubling the number of music majors to more than 200 during his 11 years. Clark founded the Mesilla Valley Concert Band in 1986 and has served as conductor and music director for the past 30 years, during which some 220 free concerts have been presented by the 100-piece professional adult concert band for about 150,000 residents of central and southern New Mexico. In 1990, Clark founded the Las Cruces All-City Middle School Honor Band, which is selected by audition and presents a concert each year in February. In 1994, Clark founded the Las Cruces New Horizons program for seniors who desire to resume or begin playing instruments or singing after retirement. Clark's honors include: Las Cruces Citizen of the Year in 1988 and New Mexico Music Educator of the Year in 1992. He was inducted into the New Mexico Music Educator's Hall of Fame in 2007 and elected to the American Bandmaster's Association--the highest honor for international professional bandmasters--in 1993. Clark maintains an active private studio and is a freelance tuba player.