Windsor music teacher Kris Gilbert has earned the 2026 Broome County Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award. The honor goes annually to a member of the BCMEA who has served the organization above and beyond the expectations of members.


"I am humbled and honored to have been chosen by my peers, many of whom I consider to be colleagues, friends and mentors.  It is truly a full-circle moment for me, as I reflect on my days as a student playing at BCMEA, now teaching students who are now also experiencing it.  The organization is, bar none, one of our students' greatest champions and supporters of their achievements in music.  I am blessed to be part of this amazing organization," said Gilbert.

Gilbert has served BCMEA as a district rep and has served as 1st Vice President for several years.  In addition, she has chaired All County ensembles for multiple districts, assisted districts outside her own for varying all county needs, accompanied All County choirs, and provided support on multiple instruments in All County bands, jazz bands and choirs.  She has been teaching in Broome County for 29 years and this is her fourth year at Windsor Central School District.

Gilbert will receive the award during All County Festival 1 on February 28th at 2pm at the Osterhout Theater in the Anderson Center at Binghamton University.  This festival will also have many Windsor students participating, six from the 7/8 Chorus, two from 9th grade, and one high school student in the band.