The School of Music presents the Outstanding Alumni Award and Alumni Achievement Citation Award to two or more exceptional graduates each year.

Outstanding Alumni Award

Winner receiving the Outstanding Alumnus Award

Mark Spede

2021 Recipient

Mark Spede graduated from Ball State with a Master of Music in conducting. Dr. Spede is Professor of Music, Director of Bands, Director of the Tiger Band, and Conductor of the Symphonic Band at Clemson University. He also currently serves as President of the College Band Directors National Association and is co-chairing the International Coalition Performing Arts Aerosol Study that has led millions of music students safely back into the classroom during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about Dr. Spede.

Alumni Achievement Citation Award

Ryan Hourigan, Robert Kvam, and alumnus award recipient Andrew Brown

Loralee Songer receiving the Alumni Achievement Citation Award

Tammie Huntington

2021 Recipient

Tammie Huntington received her Master of Music and Doctor of Arts degrees in voice performance from Ball State University where she produced and directed the world premiere of Fifty-Third Street, an opera by Jody Nagel. She has performed and presented at conferences across the United States and around the world including France, Argentina, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and Sweden. She presently serves as the Great Lakes Regional Governor for the National Opera Association, and as President for the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Dr. Huntington is a Professor of Music at Indiana Wesleyan University where she has taught voice and opera-related studies for the past 15 years.

Christina Whitlock

2021 Recipient

Christina Whitlock graduated from Ball State with a master's degree in piano performance and pedagogy and currently operates a bustling independent piano studio here in Muncie. In addition, she has returned to the faculty of Taylor University as instructor of piano and piano pedagogy, as well as director of the Center for Musical Development. Christina maintains an active freelance career, and has served on the Indiana Music Teachers Association Board of Directors since graduating in 2006, currently acting as a past president. Christina is a frequent presenter at collegiate, local, state, and national teaching events and recently launched a podcast in October of 2020.