{"id":188,"date":"2023-03-26T07:15:05","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T07:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/?page_id=188"},"modified":"2026-07-20T02:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T02:43:32","slug":"outstanding-bandmaster","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/?page_id=188","title":{"rendered":"Outstanding Bandmaster"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;<br><br>Selection Considerations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Kansas Bandmasters Association past membership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service and impact to the Kansas Bandmasters Association<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nominations for Outstanding Bandmaster can include: Current or Retired KBA Members (award may be received posthumously)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service has helped &#8220;Build Better Bands for Kansas&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributions to instrumental music education within the state of Kansas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How to nominate a candidate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Please fill out your name, e-mail address, and phone number in the fields below.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the &#8220;Add&#8221; button to enter your nominee&#8217;s information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once you have entered the first candidate, you may enter additional candidates by repeating the process above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When you have finished adding candidates, click &#8220;Submit Nomination(s)&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><div id=\"SFctr\" class=\"SF\" data-org=\"30130\" data-ini=\"!form\/OutstandingBandmasterNominationForm\" data-fnd=\"Search\" data-scl=\"0\" data-out=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\" data-sfi=\"1\" style=\"position:relative;height:auto\"><div id=\"SFpne\" style=\"position:relative\"><div class=\"SFpne\">Loading&#8230;<\/div><\/div><div id=\"SFfin\" style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">2026 Outstanding Bandmaster \u2013 Kyle Hopkins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:34% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1-1016x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2995 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1-1016x1024.jpg 1016w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1-768x774.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Hopkins_Kyle_HeadshotRound-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 &#8211; 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s 2015 Faculty Teaching Award and in 2011 he was named McPherson Public School\u2019s Teacher of the Year by its faculty and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s student in tuba performance at the University of New Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Past Recipients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2026 Kyle Hopkins<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2025 Steve Gordon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2024 Will Cooper<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2023 Don Buhler<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2022 Dennis Kerr<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2021  Randy Crow<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2020  John Cisetti<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2019  Avian Bear<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2018  Dean M. (Mike) Connell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2017  David Will<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2016  David Beckham, Sr.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2015  Bryce Luty<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2014  Dana Hamant<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2013  Johannah Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2012  John Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2011  Ray James<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2010  Marion Roberts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2009  Don Farthing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2008  Walter &#8220;Bud&#8221; Meisel<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2007  Clifford Manning<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2006  Gayle McMillen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2005  Bill Clausing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2004  Larry Blocher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2003  Melvin &#8220;Bud&#8221; Schuette<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2003  Tom Stidham<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2002  Victor A. Markovich<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2002  Frank Tracz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2001  Joseph Ray Boley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2000  Jerry Stone<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1999  Larry Norvell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1998 Glen Goering<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1997  Robert E. Lee II<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1996  Wendell Hicks<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1995 Richard Strange<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1994  James Kerry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1994  Berle Willis<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1993  Stan Fink<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1992  Gary Fletcher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1991  David Stuewe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1990  Gary Corcoran<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1989  Donald Corbett<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1988  Robert E. Foster<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1987  J.B. Webster<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1986  William Lilly<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1985  Les Sperling<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1984  Ed Craig<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1983  William Beck<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1982 Robert Hollowell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1981 Kenneth Thompson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1980 Elmer Snell<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1979  Wendll Hodges<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1978  Clarence Sawhill<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1977 Lyle Dilley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1976  Hal Palmer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1975  Russell Wiley<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.&nbsp; Selection Considerations How to nominate a candidate: Loading&#8230; 2026 Outstanding Bandmaster \u2013 Kyle Hopkins Kyle Hopkins is Professor of Music, Director of Bands and Music Department Chair [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-188","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","post"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=188"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2996,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/188\/revisions\/2996"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}