Julius Alexander Beam

Mr. Julius Alexander "Sandy" Beam, 73, of 130 West Church Street, Mount Airy, passed away Friday afternoon, February 18, 2011, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Mr. Beam was born April 20, 1937, in Granville County, son of the late Hugh Martin Beam, Sr. and Elizabeth "Bessie" Daniel Beam. Sandy was reared in Roxboro. He graduated from Roxboro High School in 1955, Appalachian State Teachers' College in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in music, and later from Appalachian State University with a Master of Arts degree in music education and piano. Beam taught choral music in Surry County Schools for 35 years. He and his students won numerous awards throughout the years for their musical excellence. He provided a safe haven for students over the years with his kind, gentle, and sweet spirit, often noticing things in students other folks or teachers did not see. Sandy served as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy for 44 years, retiring in December 2010. Mr. Beam was a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and a lifetime member of both the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference, a group that honored him with their "Lifetime Achievement" award. In November 2010, Beam received the prestigious "Lara Hoggard Award" from the North Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association for distinguished service in the art of Choral Music in North Carolina. As a pillar of support for the arts, Sandy presented world class choral literature and programming to the Mount Airy area and beyond for several years through VOCE, a choral ensemble which he directed. His love of music brought together outstanding singers and musicians, produced dynamic concerts, enriched the community through quality performances, and shared the gift of choral music with everyone in the surrounding area. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Jean Gentry Beam of Winston-Salem; a brother-in-law, Bill B. Shotwell of Roxboro; four nieces, Martin Shotwell Gentry and her husband, Rick Gentry, of Roxboro, Suzanne Shotwell Nazim and her husband, Gengiz M. Nazim, of Greensboro, Beth Beam Sronce and her husband, Tim Sronce, of Summerfield, and Nancy Beam Davidson and her husband, Roger Davidson, of Statesville; five grand nieces; four grand nephews; five great nieces; and six great nephews. In addition to his parents, Mr. Beam was preceded in death by a sister, Patsy Beam Shotwell; and a brother, Hugh Martin Beam, Jr. A service to celebrate his life will be held Sunday, February 27, 2011, at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Steve Lindsley officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Sandy Beam Scholarship Fund, c/o The Surry Arts Council, P.O. Box 141, Mount Airy, NC 27030. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the Beam family.