Awards
- Distinguished Alumni Service Award - 2005
- President's Medal for Excellence - 2000
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Thomas Hart Benton Mural Medallion - 1987
- Bloomington, Indiana
About Charles H. Webb
On July 1, 1997, Charles Webb retired from the faculty of Indiana University having served the School of Music as Dean for the past 24 years. During that time, the School of Music was named number 1 in quality in three independent national surveys. Professor Webb received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music degrees from Southern Methodist University and a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana in 1964. In addition to his administrative duties, Webb has maintained an active performance career as conductor, pianist, and organist.
Appointed conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 1967, Webb has conducted the Choir and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in many choral works including Handel's MESSIAH, Haydn's CREATION, Mendelssohn's ELIJAH, Bach's CHRISTMAS ORATORIO, and Stravinsky's SYMPHONY OF PSALMS. In 1969, he directed the premiere of Dave Brubeck's THE LIGHT OF THE WILDERNESS. In 1978, he prepared the chorus for Berlioz Requiem performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Dr. Webb is chairman of the Board of Advisors of International Music Festivals, Inc., was appointed in July, 1976, by Governor Bowen to the Indiana Arts Commission, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the recommendation board for the Avery Fisher Prize, a director of the Busoni Foundation, member of the advisory board of the Van Cliburn Piano Competition, member of the National Advisory Board of the American Guild of Organists. He was one of four from Indiana University selected for the 1970 edition of Outstanding Educators in America and is listed in Who's Who in America and Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians.
In 1980, Webb received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Southern Methodist University. In 1983, he was named a member of the prestigious Indiana Academy. He has also served as a judge for international music competition on several continents, including the Liszt-Bartok Competition in Hungary, the Busoni Competition in Italy, and the Munich Competition, as well as the Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris and the Carl Flesch Competition in London.
He was recipient of the Thomas Hart Benton Medal from Indiana University in June, 1987, and the President's Medal in December, 2000. He has also received three "Sagamore of the Wabash" awards from Governors Bowen, Orr, and O'Bannon, the highest award given by the state for meritorious service. In 2004, he was named a "Living Legend" of the State of Indiana by the Indiana Historical Society and was appointed to a Congressional Committee by Colin Powell, "Committee to Advise the Secretary of State on Cultural Diplomacy." Dr. Webb received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award of Indiana University in June 2005. He was named an honorary member of the Alliance of Distinguished and Titled Professors of Indiana University in 1997.