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)”
2026 Outstanding Bandmaster – Kyle Hopkins
Kyle Hopkins is Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at McPherson College. During his tenure at McPherson College the band program has experienced unprecedented growth and success – from eight students to one of the largest band programs in the conference and being selected to play at the Kansas Music Educators Association State Convention five times in the past eight years. Most recently, his jazz band was selected to perform at KMEA in 2025.
Kyle holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Washburn University and Kansas State University. Prior to returning to college to obtain his first music education degree, he was a Disability Examiner for the State of Kansas specializing in childhood disabilities. Before accepting his position at McPherson College, he was Director of Bands in the McPherson Public Schools for 12 years and before that he taught in Topeka and Shawnee Mission. He is the recipient of McPherson College’s 2015 Faculty Teaching Award and in 2011 he was named McPherson Public School’s Teacher of the Year by its faculty and staff.
In addition to being a sought-after clinician, conductor and adjudicator, Kyle remains active on his french horn. He performs with the Salina Symphony as principal horn, and the Wichita Grand Opera and Wichita Symphony as substitute horn. Kyle and his wife Christi have two grown sons who are active in music. Isaac co-teaches orchestra in Hutchinson with his wife Meredith, and Ben is a master’s student in tuba performance at the University of New Mexico.
Past Recipients
2026 Kyle Hopkins
2025 Steve Gordon
2024 Will Cooper
2023 Don Buhler
2022 Dennis Kerr
2021 Randy Crow
2020 John Cisetti
2019 Avian Bear
2018 Dean M. (Mike) Connell
2017 David Will
2016 David Beckham, Sr.
2015 Bryce Luty
2014 Dana Hamant
2013 Johannah Cox
2012 John Taylor
2011 Ray James
2010 Marion Roberts
2009 Don Farthing
2008 Walter “Bud” Meisel
2007 Clifford Manning
2006 Gayle McMillen
2005 Bill Clausing
2004 Larry Blocher
2003 Melvin “Bud” Schuette
2003 Tom Stidham
2002 Victor A. Markovich
2002 Frank Tracz
2001 Joseph Ray Boley
2000 Jerry Stone
1999 Larry Norvell
1998 Glen Goering
1997 Robert E. Lee II
1996 Wendell Hicks
1995 Richard Strange
1994 James Kerry
1994 Berle Willis
1993 Stan Fink
1992 Gary Fletcher
1991 David Stuewe
1990 Gary Corcoran
1989 Donald Corbett
1988 Robert E. Foster
1987 J.B. Webster
1986 William Lilly
1985 Les Sperling
1984 Ed Craig
1983 William Beck
1982 Robert Hollowell
1981 Kenneth Thompson
1980 Elmer Snell
1979 Wendll Hodges
1978 Clarence Sawhill
1977 Lyle Dilley
1976 Hal Palmer
1975 Russell Wiley