Bobby Adams, celebrated band director, dies at 75
Dr. Bobby Adams, retired professor of Music Education, and former coordinator of Instrumental Music and director of Bands at Stetson University, passed away on Thursday, May 28, at the age of 75.
Since he began at Stetson in 1987, Dr. Adams helped build Stetson’s instrumental program and grow the School of Music. With his help, it grew from 130 music majors to 200, and from 25 students who majored in a band instrument to 100, representing nearly 50 percent of the total music-student population, as reported in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Stetson Magazine.
“For nearly three decades, Bobby Adams brought his intellect, artistry, and commitment to education to the Stetson School of Music,” said Thomas Masse, dean of the School of Music. “Through his work with the Stetson Band, Bobby built a program that was the envy of schools of music throughout the country. Bobby was first and foremost an educator who was deeply devoted to his students and was a champion of generations of young musicians and teachers. He was a thinker and a philosopher who instilled in his students the values of excellence and character. The impact Bobby made on the world of music is huge and Stetson mourns the loss of a great man and a great friend.”
Dr. Adams is survived by his wife Ann Adams, former oboe professor at Stetson, and three children.
The celebration of Bobby Adams’ life will be held Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church in DeLand, located at 724 N. Woodland Blvd.
The Bobby L. Adams Scholarship, established in 2012, is designed to support Stetson students studying music education in instrumental music intending to become band directors. To help honor Bobby Adams’ legacy, please contact Stetson’s Office of Development at (386) 822-7455, or visit www2.stetson.edu/give.
