Ballard High School Principal Phil Brockman was given the first-ever Washington Music Educators Association Administrator of the Year Award Feb. 15 for championing the cause of music as a core quality of education.

He was honored at two concerts during the association's All-State Gala in Yakima. Two Ballard High School students, James Vitz-Wong and C.J. Eldred, were selected to participate in the All-State event.

In a letter nominating Brockman for the award, Ballard High School Music teachers Courtney Rowley and Michael James said he has a vision for the growth and success of the music program at Ballard, but gives the teachers complete creative and strategic control.

"Phil Brockman is the most supportive, caring and respected administrator we have ever had the privilege to work for," Rowley and James said in the letter.

According to the letter, Brockman has found the money and resources to allow the school to add a percussion class and women's treble choir and to produce an after-school musical year after year.

Brockman believes a strong music program is essential to an excellent high school, Rowley and James said in the letter.

"Not only does Phil attend every music concert, but he also takes special care to recognize our music students in their successes," they said in the letter.

Brockman said he is honored by the award, but credits Rowley and James, who he calls the Dynamic Duo, with being excellent music educators.

"They have grown the Ballard High music program to where it was 30 years ago," said Brockman, himself a former Ballard High School music student. "And, I should know. I was in music and loved it."

He said the music program would not be what it is without the Ballard High School Foundation and the PTSA, in addition to Rowley and James.

"The award really is a reflection of the entire school community supporting music education," he said.

Starting this year with Brockman, the Administrator of the Year Award will be given every two years to administrators who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of music education.

Brockman was chosen from a wide and diverse field of nominees, Don Clausen, past president of the Washington Music Educators Association, said in a letter informing Brockman of his win.

"I believe there can be no higher honor than to be recognized and recommended by one's teaching staff," Clausen said in the letter. "And, you have been accorded that honor."

Brockman will be playing trumpet at the biannual alumni concert at 7 p.m. on April 10 at Ballard High School.

Brockman helped create the alumni concert in 2006. So far, the event has raised $40,000 for the school's music department.