I am lucky to be me . . . I get to write music, teach great kids, be part of a loving family, enjoy the company of the best of friends, and find peace and beauty in as many ways and forms as possible . . . . I get to enjoy everyday of my life.  Thanks for stopping by and giving my music a listen.  And I hope you are as lucky in your life as I am in mine.

 

Portions of these Biographical Notes are taken from the Jessie Ball duPont Educator’s Award program  . . . Boyd Holmes

           This year’s recipient of the Jessie Ball duPont Educator’s Award is Delaware teacher, musician, and composer Boyd Holmes.
 
        A graduate of the Salesianum School, Mister Holmes received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University Of Delaware as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Wilmington College.
 
In June 2008, Mister Holmes accepted at the position as instructor of music at the Castle Hills School. 

From 1992 to 2008, Mister Holmes served as the instructor of music at the John G. Leach School. Leach School serves pupils residing in New Castle County, ages 3-21, who have physical disabilities, moderate to severe mental retardation, or serious health impairments.  Under the leadership of Principal John Jadach, the Leach School has been recognized as the nation's first M.O.V.E. (Mobility Opportunities Via Education) Model Site and a recipient of the State of Delaware Parent Partnership Award, Delaware State Chamber of Commerce Superstars in Education Award, as well as other competitive grants. Mister Holmes collaborated extensively with the Leach team of administrators, therapists, and teachers. Holmes was honored with Leach School’s Teacher of the Year award in 1999.

 
         As a professional composer, Mister Holmes’ compositions have been heard in a wide variety of media – radio, network and cable television, the Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, as well as PBS.
 
        Mister Holmes has served as Composer in Residence for the City of Wilmington and was also commissioned by the MacDonald’s Corporation to compose a song commemorating the opening of Delaware’s Ronald MacDonald House.
 

His composing credits include creating scores for the Bank of New York, the Delaware Humanities Forum, the American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities, the United Way, and President Jimmy Carter’s Carter Center. Mr. Holmes also composed and recorded the score for the internationally broadcasted 42-part television series, “Art Under Foot”.

 
 Mister Holmes is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and has received an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences regional EMMY.  In addition, he has subsequently served as a judge for the Philadelphia market EMMY competitions. He is currently serving on the