Shields Honored for Music Accomplishments

June 30, 2008

Noted music educator Kaye Shields received Oklahoma Baptist University's 2008 Distinguished Music Alumni Award this spring.

Shields, a 1969 OBU graduate, has been active in Oklahoma music education throughout her career. She retired from the OBU faculty in 1998, after directing the university's preparatory department and serving as a music instructor for 13 years.

The award recognizes Shields' "accomplishments in teaching, choral music, and the advancement of the arts in our state," said Dr. Paul Hammond, dean of OBU's Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts.

After graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor of music education degree in voice, Shields completed a master of music degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1973. Her graduate major was voice with secondary study in piano and music history.

While an OBU student, Shields was a member of the Bison Glee Club Little Sisters. She also toured the Caribbean, performing with OBU's Tuneclippers. As a graduate student, she was a member of OU's Opera Theatre and Collegium Musicum.

Shields started serving as an independent piano teacher in 1973. She also served as organist for the First Baptist Church of McAlester from 1980-85. She was named Oklahoma Musician of the Year by the Oklahoma Federation of Music Clubs in 1982. She has performed as a guest soloist with the Oklahoma City Symphony. In 1983 she was listed by Oklahoma City's Hospitality Club as one of 10 "Women in the News." She was cited by Governor George Nigh for her contributions to the arts in Oklahoma.

The accomplished vocalist has presented concert tours in the Philippines and Spain under the auspices of the Southern Baptist Convention. She continues to present concerts throughout the southwest.

Shields returned to Shawnee in 1985, founding OBU's preparatory department. Shields directed the acclaimed program for 13 years. In addition to her preparatory duties she taught class piano, secondary piano and secondary voice at the university.

Active in professional organizations throughout her career, Shields has been a presenter at the Music Teachers' National Association national convention and has served as a clinician in several states. She is the incoming co-president of the Oklahoma Music Teachers' Association eastern division.

Shields also has served as an adjudicator throughout the state, and has been an MTNA national judge in voice. Two of her voice students have advanced to the national level in the MTNA high school voice division.

In addition to her voice and piano instruction, Shields serves as organist for the First Christian Church in Shawnee. She and her husband, Bill, reside in Shawnee.