Local Educator/Band Director Dies
69-year-old Paul Clark Copenhaver, passed away at home on Friday. He was born in Louisiana, Missouri and graduated from Bowling Green High School where he was active in band and track. He received the Bachelor of Music Education from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, a Masters in Music Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and did additional graduate work at K.U. In 1973 he started teaching instrumental music in the Moberly Public Schools, where he met his wife, Nancy. They were married at Trinity United Methodist Church in Moberly in 1975. He enjoyed sharing his gift of music, playing trumpet at Coates Street Presbyterian Church where he was a member and elder as well as at many other churches in the area.
During his 33 years with Moberly Public Schools, Copenhaver, taught beginning students in 6th grade, junior high bands, jazz band, marching and concert bands, first as assistant with Bob Smith, and later as Director of Bands. In 2004 Paul “retired” from full time teaching in the school district, continuing to teach part time while reviving the band program at St. Pius X School. He fully retired from the school district in 2006 and continued teaching at St. Pius X 6th-8th grade instrumental students until 2019.
After a number of years playing and serving as Assistant Conductor, he was named Director of the Columbia Community Band in 2017, a position he held until the symptoms of his illness became too severe. He served as associate band director for the University of Missouri-Columbia University Band from 1992-1996; brass instructor at Central Methodist University from 1999-2001; and as an instructor at several summer music camps. Among other honors, he served as President of the Missouri Music Educators Association, and and served as MMEA Government Relations Chair. Copenhaver received the National Federation of High School Associations Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2005 and NFHS Section V Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2006. He was elected to the Missouri Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in 2014. He was honored with the Moberly Public Schools Foundation Distinguished Educator Award in 2017. In January 2020 he was presented the Irwin R. Keller Service Award from the Missouri State High School Activities Association.
He was a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the International Association of Jazz Educators, National Catholic Band Association, National Education Association, and a charter member of the International Trumpet Guild.
Paul is survived by his wife Nancy McElfresh Copenhaver, a niece, two great nieces, an aunt, along with several cousins. Although music was his life, he also enjoyed riding, polishing and showing his Harley Davidson motorcycle in car shows, attending car races, traveling as long as he could be the driver, reading, and socializing with friends.
A Celebration of Life will be Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 pm in the St. Pius X School Auditorium in Moberly with a private burial earlier. Memorials are suggested to the Columbia Community Band, St. Pius X Music Boosters, or the Missouri Bandmasters Association Young Band Directors Grant. Arrangements are under the direction of Cater Funeral Home.
