Arts council award goes to music store owner

~ Bill Shivelbine was honored for providing equipment and expertise for local events.

Bill Shivelbine isn't one to hog the spotlight.

A self-labeled behind-the-scenes guy, Shivelbine would much rather help out without recognition while others get the praise.

But Saturday night Shivelbine, owner of Shivelbine's Music, got more praise than he would ever ask for. At the intermission of Southeast Missouri State University's "Noises Off," Shivelbine was awarded with the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri's highest honor, the Otto Dingeldein Award.

The council presents the award every year to one or two individuals whose efforts are key to the vitality of the local arts community. Shivelbine was honored for his work in providing musical equipment and expertise for local events like ArtsCape, the City of Roses Music Festival (of which he was a co-founder) and Tunes at Twilight, as well as his support of music of all kinds in Cape Girardeau.

"I see that his interest in music and his willingness to actually put support behind it in terms of in-kind donations has done a whole lot for music in Cape Girardeau," said Claudia Ruediger, chair of the council's board of directors and who nominated Shivelbine for the award. "Bill doesn't get recognized very much. I felt that, especially after I worked with him at ArtsCape, I've not really seen people publicly thank him or recognize the contribution."

Shivelbine has contributed equipment, personnel and expertise to make local music events sound their best, but he's also worked to develop a love of music in children. His Musical Instrument Petting Zoo at the 2006 ArtsCape festival allowed children to try playing instruments from tubas to violins.

Delilah Tayloe, director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, said she has never seen Shivelbine turn down a chance to help with a local event involving music.

"Anything that he can lend a hand to, he does," she said. "If you go to him and ask for his ideas, financial support or his muscle power, you will have someone standing with you making it happen."

Shivelbine said the spotlight has never been a place of comfort for him.

"I don't feel like I deserve it, I just do what I feel like I can do, and if I can help the community in such a way musically, I'm here to do what I can do," he said.

Shivelbine is the second member of his family to win the Dingeldein award since its inception in 1975. His uncle, Freck Shivelbine, won the award in 1998.

The Dingeldein award is named after Otto Dingeldein, a founder of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

Saturday's presentation also included the awarding of the Jeff Maguire Friend of the Arts award, named in honor of deceased Cape Girardeau arts patron Jeff Maguire. The award is given to an individual or organization who show remarkable support for the arts.

This year's Maguire award went to the Southeast Missourian for its coverage of the arts over the past year.

"A vibrant arts community is integral to a community's quality of life, and the Southeast Missourian is proud to support and help nurture the dynamic community that is here in Cape Girardeau," said Southeast Missourian publisher Jon Rust.

New officers were also installed on the board of directors: Carol Sparkman as chair; Utahna Hancock as vice chair; Judi Hutson as secretary; and Linda Hutson as treasurer. Rhonda Weller Stilson, Dennis Seyer and Priscilla Kasten exited the board of directors.

msanders@semissourian.com

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