The LAMBDA Chapter of Missouri was founded on January 8, 1959 in Jefferson City, Missouri with 26 charter members. Presently there are 202 active members in the Lambda Chapter.

Charter Members:
CHARLES EMMONS, President

James Adair, Howard Bell, Tom Birch, Lowell E. Brunner, Keith Collins, J.M. Dillinger, C. Herbert Duncan, Frank Fendorf, James O. Fettern, Harold Hillyer, Keith House, O.O. Humo, Don Verne Joseph, H. Orville Johnson, Joe Labuta, Ben E. Markeley, LeRoy F. Mason, Gerald L. McCollum, Leland E. Mueller, Willby A. Rice, Gerald Sandbothe, R. Kenneth Seward, Lee T. Schneider, Beill Tetley, John Willer.

Board of Directors -Phi Beta Mu Lambda Chapter - 2022-24:
President - JOE PAPPAS - Festus
President-Elect - BOB ALTMAN - Hazelwood
Vice-President - JOHN WILSON - Raytown-Peculiar
Director at Large - PAUL SWOFFORD - Kansas City
Past-President - KEITH RUETHER - Lebanon
Secretary/Treasurer - CHRIS AUCHLY - Festus

PBM LAMBDA FOUNDATION
PBM/Lambda Foundation was established in January 2009 and is operated exclusively for charitable, educational, scientific, and religious purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes to (i) provide scholarships and grants to amateur musicians and composers for music education; (ii) provide emergency funding to amateur musicians and bands for the purpose of repairing and replacing damaged, stolen, or lost musical equipment; (iii) provide forums for the advancement of music education among band leaders and conductors; and (iv) provide awards and honors for band leaders that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to the development and enhancement of the artistry and musical development of amateur bands.

Board of Directors - Phi Beta Mu Foundation - 2022-24:
President - LORI HUTTON - Marshfield
President-Elect - BRIAN WYSS - Lindbergh
Vice-President- KIM PIRTLE - Boonville
Director at Large - ROBERT GIFFORD - Cape Girardeau
Past-President - STEVE LITWILER - Boonville
Secretary/Treasurer - CHRIS AUCHLY - Festus

LAMBDA CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

Claude T. Smith Memorial Composition Contest for Young Composers
The Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Mu established a band composition contest in 1982 under the leadership of prominent band composer Claude T. Smith, a member of the Lambda Chapter.  Following Smith's death in 1987 the contest was renamed the Claude T. Smith Memorial Band Composition Contest.  The original intent of this contest was to encourage young composers of band music and is held every three years.  A cash scholarship award of $5,000 is awarded to the winner of this contest.  This contest is open to composers age 30 or under as of January 1, in the year of the contest.    The deadline for entries is August 1 prior to the year of the contest.  The next contests will be held in 2022, 2025, etc.   Contact Joe Pappas (joejpm@brick.net)  owner of JPM Music Publications for additional information

Charles Emmons Outstanding Director Award and Scholarship - QUALIFICATIONS:
As befitting the name of this award, The Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director Award, may be given to deserving candidate who….

1. Is an active member of Phi Beta Mu-Lambda Chapter.

2. Has been a high school/middle school/junior high school band director in the state of Missouri for a period of no less than five years and has developed a well-rounded program that has established a tradition of excellence.

3. Exhibits high moral character and integrity, commensurate with teaching young people and sets exemplary standards of conduct, behavior and good citizenship for his/her students..

4. Demonstrates a love and concern for his/her students.

5. Maintains a professional posture through his/her support of, and involvement in, professional organizations and projects.

6. Has developed bands of outstanding stature that are recognized for their quality and high level of performance.

7. Directs a multifaceted program within the context of his/her school and community that gives his/her students a variety of musical experiences.

MBA Summer Convention - Monday Night Concert Reception

Missouri Bands Together Project
The Missouri Bands Together Project was created in 2005 under the leadership of president Bob Spiegelman.  The purpose of the project is to foster a fraternal spirit among Missouri Bands through financial contributions to bands or individuals that  have experienced unusual hardships.  Since that time the MBT Project has assisted two individual bands directors and bands in Chippewa Falls, WI and Joplin, MO.

History of Missouri Bands 1800 – 2000 Book
The History of Missouri Bands was a research begun in 2008 and sponsored by Lambda Chapter of Phi Beta Mu (National Bandmasters Fraternity) and the Missouri Bandmasters Association.   The book was written by charter member C. Herbert Duncan and was published in May 2012.  The book includes over 150 pictures and more than 360 pages of text.  Subjects covered are: Town Bands, College and University Bands, High School Bands, Band Associations, Bands at the St. Louis World’s Fair, Early Band Pioneers, The Kansas City Sheet Music Collection and other historical subjects about bands in Missouri. The book is no longer available for purchase online, but the Lambda chapter has purchased extra books. If you decide that you would like to get a book contact CHRIS AUCHLY: phibetamulambda.org  - I’m sure Herb and Chris can work out some sort of “deal” for you.

Annual Business Meeting/Luncheon
The Lambda Chapter has the annual business meeting and luncheon every January in association with the Missouri Music Educators Association annual state conference.  This meeting is held at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO.