The Prairie Brass Band of Arlington Heights, in Illinois has announced that the winner of the "Prairie Brass Person of the Year" award, known as the “PBOY Award” has been given to euphonium player Paul Eakley.

Service

The award recognizes band members who, although not members of the board of directors, have contributed in many special ways to the success and growth of the band.

Paul has worked exceedingly hard, in and out of the rehearsal room, to make this band a success and to inspire those members around him to do the sameClark Niermeyer

Inspire

This is essentially a service award, meant to recognize that on any successful team there must always be leaders, self-starters and people who just seem to get things done, usually without being asked.

Band President Clark Niermeyer told 4BR: "Paul has worked exceedingly hard, in and out of the rehearsal room, to make this band a success and to inspire those members around him to do the same. He truly understands that to make “Team Prairie” a success requires more than just playing well."