Jared Spears, a multi-faceted conductor, teacher, and composer of over 300 published works, passed away on September 18, 2025 at the age of 89. Earning degrees at Northern Illinois University and the Cosmopolitan School of Music, he completed his doctoral studies at Northwestern University. Joining the faculty at Arkansas State University, he taught there until his retirement in 1999 when he was named Professor Emeritus. Moving to St. Louis, he continued to compose and served as the composer-in-residence of the St. Louis Wind Symphony. He received many awards during the course of his career, including Who’s Who in Music and ASCAP Awards.