Honoring a Musical Legend

Music building named in honor of Dale Beacock '50

September 28, 2012, Friday, at 3:00 PM the Clark College's Music Building was renamed and dedicated to a respected member of both the Clark College and the greater Vancouver communities. The building was renamed in honor of the late Dale Beacock '50.

Beacock was a respected educator, musician and arts supporter who played a vibrant role in the history in the region. Many knew him best for the Beacock Music and Education Center, which was established in 1976 and which his family continues to operate. He also brought Clark's annual jazz festival to the college, showcasing thousands of high school musicians over the years. He died in August 2011.

After graduating from Clark, Beacock earned a master's degree in music performance and education from the University of Portland. He started teaching in 1956. After six years at La Center, he spent two years at Vancouver's former Lewis Junior High, six years at Fort Vancouver High School, then came to Clark College, where he remained until 1982, serving in many roles including department chair and band director.

Beacock was the director of Clark's concert band, jazz band and brass sextet. Under his leadership, those groups performed and competed across our region and in other states. Working in partnership with Gaydena Thompson, Beacock could be seen leading a pep band during pep rallies for our athletic teams.

Collaborating with April Duvic, he served as musical director for some of our theatrical productions (as well as community musical productions), earning nominations for excellence from the Clark County Theatre Alliance.

He inspired love of music in our littlest penguins by joining forces with Cora Haag to perform for Clark's Child and Family Studies program. Even after retiring from the college, he returned for many years to direct the band that accompanied the Theatre Department's winter musical.

Beacock served on Clark's Administrative Advisory Council (an early version of College Council). He was active with the faculty union and served on the Professional Placement & Advancement Committee.

Son Russ and daughter Gayle remember "spending most of our lives" at the college when their father taught at Clark.

With an extensive background in jazz, Beacock often served as adjudicator for musical competitions and, after his retirement, continued to give clinics at local schools. He also gave private music lessons. In 1998, he was honored as one of the first inductees into the Washington Music Educators Hall of Fame.

In addition to establishing the Beacock Music and Education Center, Beacock took part in countless community events, performing with the Southwest Washington Wind Symphony and serving as director of the New Horizons Band, which has performed at the Luekpe Center and other venues across our region.

Historic articles show his participation in a stage show for the Bicentennial Commission, held at Evergreen High School during the nation's bicentennial. He performed at Timberline Lodge and other sites in Oregon.
Clark College President Bob Knight said that Beacock "had a lasting impact—not only at Clark College but across our region.

"That is the lens through which other buildings at our college have been named," Knight added. "They have included college and community leaders such as Dr. Paul Gaiser, Dr. Dwight Baird, Dr. Lewis Cannell, Deloyce Frost, Joan Stout, Chick Scarpelli, Skeet O'Connell and others. I believe we can be proud to add Dale Beacock to that illustrious list."

http://www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/newsletter.php?id=56&pg=1#story348