Mr. Rodney S. Miller
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Rodney
S. Miller Distinguished Service Award
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Rodney Miller was awarded the District 7 Distinguished Service Award posthumously on October 10, 2005 during the opening ceremonies of the PMEA District 7 In-service program held at Gettysburg College. The award was presented to Rodney’s wife, Kim Miller, by District 7 President David Rohrer and Secretary/Treasurer Robert Rhine.
Rod was a graduate of Lebanon Valley College and had done graduate work at VanderCook College, the Hartt School at the University of Hartford, West Chester University, and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. He began his teaching career at Cedar Crest High School for one year and then moved to the Lebanon School District where he taught strings in grades three through twelve for 17 years. Rodney also directed the middle school jazz band. For the last seven years, he was the elementary instrumental music instructor. Rod ran the instrumental summer lessons program and initiated a scholarship program for students who could not afford to pay for summer lessons. He was also actively involved with the Cedar Foundation, an organization that helped to get instruments to students who could not afford them in the Lebanon School District.
Rodney was a well known composer and arranger. He was a six time ASCAP Standard Award winner and had recently received the Creative Achievement Award from Lebanon Valley College. His works have been published by Warner Brothers, Shawnee Press, Alfred, and Twin Elm. Rod served as the music arranger for the Lebanon Valley College Marching Band and arranged and performed with the Dave Stahl Sacred Orchestra. For the past 22 years, Rod was co-musical director/arranger for the Timbers Dinner Theater in Mount Gretna.
Rod served as President of the Lebanon-Lancaster Music Educators Association from 1994-1996, PMEA District 7 President from 2000-2003, and was a candidate on the 2005 ballot for PMEA State President. He also served on many conference planning committees and hosted numerous festivals.
Rodney died of a heart
attack on February 7, 2005 at age 49. He leaves behind Kim, his wife of 25
years, and son, Andrew. In honor of
Rodney’s contributions
to PMEA, District 7, and music education, the name of this award was changed
to the Rodney S. Miller Distinguished Service Award on October 10, 2005.
Click here to read the Distinguished Service Award eligibility guidelines.
