Outstanding Bandmaster
The Outstanding Bandmaster award is presented annually by KBA to Kansas Band Directors who have distinguished themselves through their musical accomplishments, service to bands, and excellence in teaching.
Selection Considerations
- Kansas Bandmasters Association past membership
- Service and impact to the Kansas Bandmasters Association
- Nominations for Outstanding Bandmaster can include: Current or Retired KBA Members (award may be received posthumously)
- Service has helped “Build Better Bands for Kansas”
- Contributions to instrumental music education within the state of Kansas.
How to nominate a candidate:
- Please fill out your name, e-mail address, and phone number in the fields below.
- Click the “Add” button to enter your nominee’s information.
- Once you have entered the first candidate, you may enter additional candidates by repeating the process above.
- When you have finished adding candidates, click “Submit Nomination(s)”
2025 Outstanding Contributor – Shawn Chastain
Dr. Jack W. Smith has degrees from Oral Roberts University, San Jose State University. He had a career in Band Directing for 42 years, primarily in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Public Schools, and in the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools in Topeka, KS. On a professional level, Dr. Smith was a member of the Tulsa Philharmonic and the Oklahoma Sinfonia. He has performed with Chet Atkins, Andy Williams, The Lettermen, Shirley Jones, Johnny Mathis, Dave Brubeck, Henry Mancini, and others. Currently, Dr. Smith is employed by Manning Music in Topeka as a road representative. It has been a joy and privilege to introduce young people to the gift of music; and, now to help other band directors be successful as they do the same.
Past Recipients
2026 Dr. Jack Smith
2025 Shawn Chastain
2024 Jim Fuchs
2023 Bob Bitter
2022 Randy Fillmore
2021 Craig Manteuffel
2020 Jim Mareda
2019 Ed Bartley & Gary Fletcher
2018 Lori Supinie
2017 Craig Johnson
2016 Becky Manning
2015 Reggie Romine
2014 Andy Clark
2013 Richard Fruhauf
2012 Harold Willis
2011 J. Bradley Bone
2010 Ron Allen
2009 Bob Marshall
2008 Paul Rimovsky
2007 Ken Fruhauf
2006 Larry Blocher
2005 Clyde Bysom
2004 Chuck Rouse
2003 Jacquelyn Dillon-Krass
2002 Bill Johnson
2001 Don Corbett
2000 Dee Starkey
1999 Clyde Phillips
1998 James Barnes
1997 Bill Funk
1997 Arch Martin
1996 Denny Senseney
1995 Gerald W. Fuchs
1994 Max Green
1993 Chuck Blackrim
1992 Bob Laushman
1991 Bob Cunningham
1990 Jim Starkey
1989 Leon Hale
1988 Frank Fendorf
1987 Charlie Molina
1986 Bueford T. Roper
1985 Joe Hume, Hume Music
1984 Alton Foster
1983 Cecil Knight
1982 George Johnson
1981 Ray King
1980 Merrill Jones
1979 “Viv” Meckel
1979 Lou Fruhauf
1977 “Cal” Calavan
1976 Lloyd Muir