SR 128 — Celebrating the life of Emery L. Fears, Jr.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23104990D I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

128 NE OfferedN February 14, 2023 Celebrating the life of Emery L.

Fears, J––––––––––Jr. T Patron––Lucas R –––––––––– WHEREAS, Emery L.

Fears,Agreed Jr.,to ofby Portsmouth,the aSenate, highlyFebruary admired16, music2023 educatorR and renowned O bandWHEREAS, directorEmery andL. conductor, died on January 12, 2023;

Fears, Jr., of Portsmouth, a highly admired music educator and Drenowned WHEREAS,L banWHEREAS, a native of Alabama, Emery Fears joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation during World War II and served as a musician with the United States NavWHEREAS,L afterNavy hisband; honorable military service, Emery Fears earned a bachelor's degree from C Howard University and eventually a master's degree from the University of Michigan;

and E WHEREAS,Howard EmeryUniversity Fearsand pursuedeventually a careermaster's indegree educationfrom asthe aUniversity musicof teacherMichigan; and band director and led bands from I.C.

ande from D WHEREAS, Emery Fears pursued a career in education as a music teacher and band director and led bands from I.C.

Norcom High School was also elected to the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Historic Roll of Honor of High School Concert Bands during his tenure;

andandhn Philip Sousa Foundation's Historic Roll of Honor of High School Concert Bands WHEREAS, after years of success at the high school level, Emery Fears became the director of bands at Norfolk State University in 1974 and enjoyed a career there for 17 years;

he helped the S institution earn national recognition by creating its symphonic wind ensemble and Spartan Legion marching1 band;marWHEREAS, affectionately known as "Chief," Emery Fears inspired his students to achieve greatness E by teaching them self-discipline, instilling in them his boundless passion for music, and building an R unrivaled esprit de corps in his bands;

and WHEREAS, affectionatelyactively knowncommitted as "Chief," Emery Fears inspired his students to achievethe greatSessenhancement byof teachingband themprograms self-discipline,in instillingNorth inAmerica, themEmery hisand boundlessas passiona forpast music,president andof build1ngthe anSouthern unrivaledDivision espritof dethe corpsCollege inBand hisDirectors bands;National Association;

and 8 WHEREAS, actively committed to the enhancement of band programs in North America, Emery and as a past president of the Southern Division of the College Band Directors National Association;

and WHEREAS, Emery Fears earned a staggering number of awards and accolades over the course of his career, including the Diploma of the Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association, the Roy A.

Woods Outstanding TeacherTeachern, the Award from Norfolk State University, the Distinguished Service to Music Medal from the Kappa Kappa :Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, and the National Award from the National Association for the StuWHEREAS, Emery Fears will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 43 years, Cheryl;

35 Study and Performance of African-American Music;

andnal Award from the National Association for the 36 WHEREAS, Emery Fears will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 43 years, / 37 Cheryl;

and numerous other family members / 38 and friends;

now, therefore, be it 39 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Emery L.

Fears, Jr., a music educator and conductor who touched countless lives throughout the Commonwealth and the world through his inspirational leadership and commitment to excellence;

and, be ititonwealth and the RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Emery L.