Chicago, IL—Bob Lark, director of DePaul Music School’s jazz education program, has been recognized for his musical and educational excellence by Down Beat magazine,.  Lark was named one of Down Beat’s 2010 Jazz Education Achievement Award recipients, a recognition that distinguishes  him among the nation’s best jazz educators.

Awarded annually, recipients of  the Down Beat honor are chosen for their ability as jazz instructors, contributions to the advancement of future jazz artists, and for their positive impact on their school’s jazz programs.    Honorees are selected by an accredited panel of educators and artists that does not accept applications.  Instead, awardees are determined  based on what the panel sees and hears, making  Lark one of only three jazz educators in the nation selected for the 2010 honor.  Fred Sturm of Lawrence University in Wisconsin and Bob Sinicrope of the Milton Academy in Massachusetts  both share the distinction with Lark.

“I was deeply humbled and honored to receive an achievement award from Down Beat Magazine,” said  Lark.

Referred to as a “Master in his own right!” by Jazz legend Phil Woods, Lark is a noted trumpeter, writer and conductor.  He not only heads DePaul’s jazz program, but teaches a variety of entry level to graduate level courses and directs the university’s award-winning jazz ensemble.  

During his 20-year tenure at DePaul, Lark has helped  the DePaul Jazz Ensemble gain national recognition and helped individual students become celebrated jazz musicians.

 DePaul University’s School of Music is nationally acclaimed and has been honored by Rolling Stones Magazine as one of the “Schools that Rock.” The school’s success can be measured by the success of its graduates, many of whom perform with international orchestras, bands, musical groups, and ensembles. With a faculty of 110, The School of Music instills discipline, passion, and music appreciation as a complement to a well rounded education. Proximity to Chicago’s rich cultural base including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago and other renowned music venues offers students opportunities not just to learn but to live their music.  To learn more about The School of Music, For more information on The School of Music, call (773)325-7260 or visit www.music.depaul.edu.

 About DePaul

With more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, non-profit university in the Midwest. The university offers approximately 275 graduate and undergraduate programs of study on two Chicago campuses, four suburban campuses and three international locations. Founded in 1898, DePaul remains committed to providing a quality education through personal attention to students from a wide range of backgrounds. For more information, visit www.depaul.edu.