Joseph Hebert, professor of music, was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators Association Hall of Fame at their annual conference in Baton Rouge.
The LMEA Hall of Fame Committee selected Hebert based on his significant contribution to various music programs in Louisiana and his active involvement in professional organizations and awarded him on Nov. 20.
“My real reward is seeing my students succeed,” Hebert said. “If I never got another reward, my reward would be my students.”
At 64 years old, Hebert operates like he’s much younger.
“Young people keep you young,” said Dean Angeles, professor of music.
Hebert has taught at Loyola since 1965 and is coordinator of wind and percussion activities and director of bands in the College of Music.
Hebert graduated from Loyola with a B.M.E. He went on to earn his M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association and serves on the board of directors of the John Sousa Foundation.
“I’ve known Dr. Hebert for 24 years,” Angeles said. “He’s one those guys who needs to be remembered.”
Over his nearly 40-year tenure, Hebert has been on trips all over Europe with his jazz bands, concert bands and wind ensembles, according to Angeles.
“He was also, which most people don’t know, the director of the Saints’ band,” said Angeles referring to Hebert’s 23 years of conducting on the sideline for all Saints’ home games.
Hebert travels all over the country, recruiting students for the music department. He advises them to do what they love to do.
“I’d say he’s one of the best [professors] here,” said Daniel Vance, music therapy sophomore. “He’s supportive; he points out what you do well.”
Hebert performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Leonard Bernstein, the American Symphony Orchestra under Leopold Stowkowski, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Orleans Opera Association Orchestra. In 1992, Hebert received the Lifetime Achievement award from the Louisiana Unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators.
“He started out [teaching] on the public school level,” Angeles said. “There are teachers in their 50s that he’s taught.”
At Warren Easton he taught Rodney Lafon. Lafon earned his masters from Loyola and is now the St. Charles Parish Schools superintendent.
“He’s a survivor. I don’t think people realize he’s been teaching since Sputnik. And you won’t see him retiring anytime soon. He’d just as soon die at the podium conducting ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever,'” Angeles said.
“I love what I do, and they actually pay me to do this,” Hebert said. “If my health holds up, I don’t see any retirement.”
Nicole Waivers can be reached at [email protected].
