the most outstanding of his awards have been the presley award at hardin-simmons university in 1954, the howard hanson prize at the eastman school of music for his third symphony in 1963, recipient of an ascap special award each consecutive year from 1965 to present, the american school band directors association's edwin franko goldman award in 1983, elected fellow of the american wind and percussion artists by the national band association in 1984, national citation from phi mu alpha sinfonia fraternity in 1985, in 1988 phi mu alpha sinfonia's charles e. lutton man of music award for his achievement and continued contribution to american music, kappa kappa psi's distinguished service to music medal in 1989, mid-west international band and orchestra clinic's medal of honor in 1993, the john philip sousa foundations sudler medal of honor in 1999, and past president of the american bandmasters association. in 1975 mcbeth was appointed composer laureate of the state of arkansas by the governor, the first composer laureate named in the united states.