Cape Breton University is delighted to honour and recognize a woman whose dedication to the Nova Scotia educational system as an exceptional band director and whose expertise has impacted thousands of students throughout her career, Ms. Barbara Stetter.
Ms. Barbara Stetter, originally from New Jersey, came to Glace Bay in 1973 to start a band program shortly after she graduated from university with a music major.
Her plan was to stay in Cape Breton for five years to establish a music program in the town of Glace Bay school system. After a short time, Ms. Stetter became totally immersed in the creative arts community and stayed in Cape Breton for the rest of her career.
Now, in 2024, Barb, as she is affectionately known, continues to inspire, mentor and train Cape Breton musicians and performing artists, young and old.
From the early years of the 1970’s, Barb built a music program in the Glace Bay school system that was the envy of her peers across Nova Scotia and in fact the country.
Her dedication to students and her desire for them to be the best they could be sometimes appeared strict and demanding. However, as students progressed through her program, they soon realized she was setting a standard to benefit them throughout life.
Her most esteemed accomplishments involve many of the Glace Bay High School Band acclaimed performances, including the 1987 Jeux Canada Winter Games opening ceremonies. Her students also performed for the Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth II.
Other accolades included an article published in the National Winds Magazine in 2009, acting as the manager of the National Youth Band of Canada, president of the Nova Scotia Band Association and a guest performer with the Sackville Community Band.
Performing in Carnegie Hall in 1997 will always be the proudest moment of her school career. The Glace Bay High School Band at the time, was the only Canadian band to perform in the New York City venue.
For many seasons she served as musical director for the Festival on the Bay, musical director for Cape Breton University musicals, and is still active as an oboist and clinician. In recent years, Barb has also been musical director for shows at the Savoy Theatre and Highland Arts Theatre.
Today, Cape Breton University confers the degree Doctor of Letters honoris causa, on a woman whose perseverance has built a music legacy that has impacted the lives of thousands of students, musicians and artists. Her ability to instill the values of hard work and the love of music has contributed to Cape Breton’s creative arts community and will impact generations to come, Ms. Barbara Stetter.