AN 80-YEAR-OLD man whose life is filled with music received a doctorate this morning at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, one day after he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Barnesville.

“It’s taken me 80 years to get to that point,” said Millard Neal, whose musical endeavors have included – but are not limited to – being a church organist, piano teacher, music studio founder and operator, choral director and college instructor as well as such activities as going on the road with circuses and an Elvis impersonator.

Neal, a Belmont resident, today was awarded a doctor of musical arts, piano performance, degree in Cincinnati.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to him Thursday night at the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual community spring banquet. Not only was he honored for his achievements, but he played the piano at Thursday’s banquet as he has for years.

As to working on his doctorate, Neal said, “Basically, young bucks can accomplish this in two-and-a-half to three years. It took me five years; I had a stroke in the middle.”

His college degrees were obtained in Cincinnati and at The Ohio State University.

He has a master of arts degree in music theory from OSU as well as a master of music and a bachelor’s degree in music, both in piano performance, from the College-Conservatory of Music.

“I have actually had about 15 years in college – all in music,” Neal said. “It’s the only thing I’ve known. It’s my first and only love.”

Noting he was involved in a serious auto accident in 1970, he said, “The only way that I could see to handle my future was to get a doctorate.” Although he did some earlier work on that degree, he later “decided I would go and get it. I’d better get that, because I don’t have too long to play around for it.”

His early start in music was at the age of 6 when he told his mother that he knew what he wanted to do, and that was to play the piano. She decided he’d take piano lessons from the Sisters of Charity in his hometown of Martins Ferry.

As an adult, Neal provided piano lessons in addition to other musical work. Regarding the number taught, he replied, “Oh, boy, in the thousands, probably a whole generation of … teachers. I almost put myself out of work by teaching some people who became teachers.”

In addition to being a private piano teacher, he was on the faculty at West Liberty State College and the College-Conservatory of Music. A former band director at Flushing High School, he later was choral director and in charge of general music in the Barnesville School District.

Neal also was music director for the Victorian Theatre Co. in Barnesville and was involved in Pianorama involving specialty recitals. He served as education coordinator for the C.A. House School of Music.

His music even earned him a special place in the U.S. Army where he was a saxophone player in the Military Occupational Service, serving at Fort Knox and Fort Dix, in 1958-61.

It’s not surprising he has a service playing certificate from the American Guild of Organists.

Neal also can play the clarinet and accordion. “I taught myself mostly,” he added.

He founded the Neal Studio of Music in three locations in the Ohio Valley. In addition to studios in Martins Ferry and Barnesville, he pioneered a piano library with a trailer studio which traveled around the area for teaching purposes.

Classical concerts and large-scale piano recitals have been included in his work.

Like Willie Nelson, Neal liked going on the road as he played the organ for circuses for three years in the eastern part of the nation. He also accompanied an Elvis impersonator for four-and-a-half years.

“I did most of the traveling on a motorcycle and put my equipment on a truck,” he said.

Many family members also are involved in music. His father played in bands, and Neal and others in the family had bands and are involved in varied musical accomplishments.

Neal, who has been organist for about seven churches, still plays the organ at the First Presbyterian Church, St. Clairsville, and continues to be a piano teacher.

He also is the musician at a variety of area functions such as those at the Stifel Fine Arts Center, adding, “I enjoy doing it.”

With a number of pianos in his Belmont home and at a cabin in the Senecaville area, Neal apparently agrees with Martin Luther about music. Luther once noted, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.”

Speaking of that treasure, Neal said, “It’s a good life.”

Pokas can be reached at bettypokas@yahoo.com.