A Belpre High School teacher has been recognized for his outstanding dedication to the arts and education. William “Bill” Van Pelt has received the prestigious Janet Frazier Award for Excellence, presented by Artsbridge.
Van Pelt is the first of two recipients for the 2025 Frazier Award, which honors fine arts teachers who demonstrate exceptional commitment and impact in their field. He was chosen for his inspiring efforts in rebuilding the Belpre High School Marching Band—an achievement made even more remarkable given that the program was cut by the school board back in 2008.
The Frazier Award was created in 2015 by Maestro Luke Frazier, conductor of the American Pops Orchestra, in honor of his grandmother. It includes a $1,000 prize for each recipient. Frazier also established the Donna Campbell Award for Excellence, named after his other grandmother, which goes to two students who each receive $1,500 for their first semester of college.
Van Pelt, a cum laude graduate of West Virginia University in 1992, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and was a four-year member of the WVU Marching Band, “The Pride of West Virginia.”
With over three decades of experience, Van Pelt began his teaching career in the Frontier Local School District where he led general music, choir, and band. There, he helped grow enrollment in the marching band.
In 1996, he joined Belpre City Schools, initially teaching general music to K-6 students. Fourteen years later, he moved to Belpre High School and took on the task of restoring the marching band program. His efforts paid off—under his leadership, the Pride of Belpre Marching Band has flourished and is now one of the largest bands in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Notably, the band has qualified for the Ohio Music Education Association State Marching Band Finals for four consecutive years, marking the school’s first return to the state finals since 2001.
Van Pelt’s dedication to music education and his students continues to leave a lasting impact on the Belpre community. His recognition with the Frazier Award highlights the importance of perseverance, passion, and the power of the arts in schools.
