This weekend Leon Kuehner of Hampton is being recognized with the Band Master Award during the North Iowa Band Festival in Mason City.
The Band Master award originated in 1990 to honor a retiring band master in recognition of outstanding work in the field of music with area youth.
Kuehner began his career as a student teacher in the Mason City School District.
“So I had Bob Dean and Gil Lettow when I student taught at the high school. I remember one day I was sitting down with Mr. Dean and we were talking about just what music is, what’s important. And he said, Leon, just never forget it’s all about the kids. And so when you look at what band festival is, it’s a chance for each individual school to showcase this is what my kids can do and also the students to see and support each other because it’s bringing everyone together and it’s about the joy of music and the joy of making music.”
Kuehner taught for three years at Britt and for over 30 years in Hampton. He is the executive director of the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.
(Our thanks to the Mason City Chamber of Commerce for the audio used for this story.)
