Awards and Recognition

• 2023 - Elf-Con Five, The Fencing Master, and Kye Kye Kule for concert band were selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2023 Editors' Choice catalog.

• Chorale and Allegro (C. T. Smith), Rondo from Incidental Suite (C. T. Smith), and Symphonic Variations on Amazing Grace (C. T. Smith) selected as part of the 2022 BANDWORLD Top 100.

• 2022 - Arabia and Man Against Machine for concert band were selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2022 Editors' Choice catalog.

• Carol of the Boombuckets, Declaration Overture (C. T. Smith), Emperata Overture (C. T. Smith), and Where the Wild Things Dance selected as part of the 2021 BANDWORLD Top 100.

• 2021 - Carol of the Boombuckets for concert band or custom concert ensembles was selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2021 Editors' Choice catalog.

• 2021 - Where the Wild Things Dance for custom concert ensembles was selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2021 Editors' Choice catalog.

• 2020 - Ghillie Dhu "Elf of the Forest" from Scottish Folklore for concert band was selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2020 Editors' Choice catalog.

• 2020 - University of North Carolina at Charlotte College of Arts and Architecture Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient (North Carolina)

• 2019 - Inducted into the Omega Nu Lambda National College Honor Society for academic achievement at Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia)

• 2019 - Where the Wild Things Dance for concert band was selected to be included in J. W. Pepper's 2019 Editors' Choice catalog.

• 2018 – Winner of the Thornton Community Band Composition Contest (Colorado) Dr. Earp’s Migrate to Gyrate was the winning composition selected in commemoration of the Thornton Community Bands 10th Anniversary

• 2014 – Loving Lenoir Award (City of Lenoir, North Carolina) for continuing to honor the historical importance of the famous Lenoir High School Band.

• 2012 – Outstanding Teacher Award (Cox Mill High School – Concord, North Carolina) sponsored by the Cox Mill High School Academic Boosters

• 2010 – Winner of the Claude T. Smith Memorial Composition Contest (Missouri) Dr. Earp’s Robinson Suite was the winning composition selected by the contest sponsor, Phi Beta Mu (Lambda Chapter)

• 2009 – University of North Carolina at Charlotte Alumni Achievement Award (North Carolina) for Dr. Earp’s Robinson Suite being recognized as the winning selection of the Claude T. Smith Memorial Composition Contest. (Presented by Dr. Royce Lumpkin, former UNC Charlotte Music Department Chair - Retired)

• 2002 – John Philip Sousa Award (West Caldwell High School - Lenoir, North Carolina) for superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty and cooperation. (Presented by Mr. John R. Craig, former West Caldwell High School Director of Bands – Retired)