Jared Spears

Biography

Spears was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Spears attended the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and earned his Bachelor of Science in education, business technology (BSE). He also studied percussion and composition from the Cosmopolitan School of Music in Chicago, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in music. He then studied at the Northwestern University in Chicago and received his Ph.D. in composition. Among his teachers were Blyth Own, Alan Stout and Anthony Donato.

Spears taught music theory, music history, composition and percussion in both high schools and in universities. By 1999 he had worked 32 years in education before retirement. He is a professor emeritus of the Arkansas State University (ASU) in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

As a composer he wrote more than 300 works for concert band, choir, orchestra and ensembles. As a conductor he was a popular guest in the United States, Canada and Europe at festivals, youth camps and clinics. He received numerous awards and honors such as the Faricy Award for creative music from Northwestern University School of Music, the "Award of Merit" from the board of the Arkansas department of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Works for orchestra

Compositions for band

Chamber music

Works for percussion