While at the Kent School District Hal served as an adjunct at the University of Puget Sound for seven years. He also held the same position at Bellevue Community College prior to his retirement. He has been an adjunct instructor and lecturer at various universities and conferences throughout the country. Hal served on the staff of the infamous Stan Kenton Summer Workshops and served as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Summer Fine Arts Camp. His groups have backed many excellent professional musicians during his tenure. This list of professionals includes Bill Watrous, Clark Terry, Frank Rosolino, Dianne Reeves, Bobby Shew, Don Menza, Louie Bellson, Dick Oates, Jim Snidero, Randy Brecker, Conrad Herwig and others.
Hal is best recognized for his knowledge of jazz literature. His library is second to none. He is always willing to share his expertise with other directors and does so often. He has written articles for the "The Instrumentalist" magazine and the "IAJE Journal". He is also the author of three books related to jazz band techniques and materials. Hal Sherman has the distinction of being the first jazz educator to receive the Charlie Parker Foundation Award for Excellence. He shares the award with such great musicians as Quincy Jones, Stan Kenton and Count Basie, to name just few. He is also the recipient of the first National Band Association's Outstanding Jazz Educator Award.
