The Youth In Music Hall of Fame was inspired by Butch Dufault and his dedication to his students, community and bands. Butch was a long time director at Waseca where half the school was in band. At one point Butch had 200 students in the marching band alone. The trophy is named the Butch Dufault Memorial YIMMY.
The Hall of Fame was the brainchild of Todd Dufault to honor his father and those like him who dedicated their entire careers to band, excellence, achievement and leadership in the marching arts. To be nominated and selected into the YIM Hall of Fame the current members gather to nominate, discuss and select the next class into this group. The person needs to have had a profound and positive impact on the marching arts in our region.
The current class gets to observe YIM from a suite and invite their family and friends to attend. All YIM HoF Members retain VIP status at the event. We honor these members as Lifetime Achievement in the marching arts.
Ken Martinson
Congratulations to Ken Martinson, a Minnesota native whose impact on the marching arts has reached the national stage, on being selected as the 2025 Butch Dufault YIMMY Hall of Fame recipient. This honor is decided by Hall of Fame peers and is considered a lifetime achievement award.
Ken’s involvement spans virtually every facet of the marching activity – performer, instructor, event manager, journalist, clinician and judge. His passion for marching began early. By age five, he was organizing mini-parades with neighborhood friends, and by 16, he had produced his first full-scale community parade.
To many Minnesotans, Ken is best known as co-founder of the Vikingland Band Festival in his hometown of Alexandria. The event is regarded as the state championship for summer parade bands and is held annually on the last Sunday of June. Over its 41-year history, it has attracted bands from seven states, three Canadian provinces and Norway. More than 80% of his Hall of Fame peers have participated in the Festival as judges or directors, including many who earned prestigious Grand Champion or Class Champion titles.
In 1996 Ken founded the pioneering website Marching.com, the original online portal for marching events, links, resources, news and photos. Before long, the site was generating millions of hits from fans around the world. Now celebrating its 30th Season, Marching.com – along with its social media channels – continues to provide a dedicated and positive voice for the marching arts. It is a media partner of major organizations including BOA, DCI and WGI. Ken’s commitment to showcasing outstanding performances takes him to celebrated events such as the Tournament of Roses Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Portland Rose Festival and the Calgary Stampede.
Ken’s 11 years as color guard designer in Alexandria alongside band director John Anderson earned numerous top guard awards and national appearances. He also worked with Ken Nelson at Bertha-Hewitt, where together they proved that bands from small schools can achieve big success. Ken is a sought-after judge and educator, serving on judging panels at parade and field competitions in 23 states and Canada. His affiliations include Central States Judges Association and Tri-State Judging Association. He marched with DCI finalist Sky Ryders Drum & Bugle Corps and was a founding board member of Music City Drum & Bugle Corps.
Ken is grateful for the support of his family and his late parents, who always lent a helping hand. He is also thankful for colleagues and mentors who provided knowledge and inspiration – many of whom are members of the Youth in Music Hall of Fame, including the first three inductees: Butch Dufault, Tom Haugen and Dave Gudmastad. Ken is deeply honored to be included among this distinguished group of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the marching arts.
Emily Chandler
Congratulations to Emily Chandler, the Marching Band Director at Hastings High School, for being selected as the 2024 Butch Dufault YIMMY Hall of Fame Recipient. In 20 years of Youth in Music, the Hastings Marching Raiders under the direction of Ms. Chandler have participated for 18 years. Throughout this window of time the Hastings Band has progressed from participant to multi time State and Class Champion. They are known for their creative programming and high execution of their shows.
Emily Chandler directs the Hastings High School Concert Band, Marching Band, Pep Band and teaches instrumental lessons. She also teaches sixth through eighth grade lessons at Hastings Middle School. Before coming to Hastings High School, Emily was the founder and director of the 5-8 band program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, also teaching K-5 general music and K-8 liturgical music.
Emily has been the Raiders Marching Band director since 2001. During her tenure, the marching band has toured across the country including places like the Traverse City MI National Cherry Festival, Bristol RI fourth of July Festival ,and the Greeley Co Stampede Festival. In addition to parade band, the Raiders have participated in field show competitions for over 3 decades, earning the Youth In Music MN State Championship 7 of the last 11 years in both class A and AA, and have won multiple caption awards in percussion, winds, color guard, and visuals. Emily founded a leadership program with the Raiders marching band that inspires a culture of compassion, excellence, and a community of acceptance in the bands. Cultivating a love for band inside and outside the classroom, Emily strives to help students get 1% better each time they play their instrument. Emily attributes the band’s success to the dedicated and talented marching band staff she works with every day. They have been a consistent team for almost 20 years. Emily says “it takes a team of the finest educators, who put students first, to achieve greatness.”
Emily Chandler graduated with honors from Winona State University in 1999, and earned a Masters of Education with honors from Saint Mary’s University in 2004. Emily enjoys coaching softball at Hastings High School, coaching volleyball at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, and being the Athletic Director at SEAS. As an active member of MBDA (Minnesota Band Directors Association), Emily has held multiple leadership roles in the Southeast Honor Band Program, including coordinator, guest conductor, and clinician. Her favorite role is being a supportive mom to daughters Madelyn and Amelia and going where all of their shenanigans take them.
Jeff Goldsmith. Royce Morrissette. Barry Peterson
Jeff Goldsmith
Jeff Goldsmith was introduced to instrumental music in 1972 after a friend’s invitation to join his elementary school band program. His first instrument was a used Buescher Cornet purchased for $80.00.
After moving to Minnesota from Jacksonville, Florida in 1975 he attended Northview Junior High School and then Saint Francis High School, graduating in 1979. Jeff then attended Concordia College-River Forest, IL and then transferred to the University of Minnesota. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the UofM in 1985. While there, he performed with the UofM Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I and Brass Choir.
Jeff’s first two years of teaching were spent in Bowdle, South Dakota before accepting a new position at Irondale High School in New Brighton, MN. It was here that he founded the Irondale Marching Knights, which consistently performed at a high level in both parades and field shows. The Marching Knights were recognized for innovative show designs and a high level of music and visual performance achievement, a tradition that continues today after 36 years. After completing a Masters Degree in Music Education in 1996, Jeff took a new instrumental music position at Burnsville High School.
He then left teaching in 2000 for a new career opportunity in designing international travel experiences for music ensembles with Dayton’s Travel Service–Musical Adventures. During this time, he has served as a judge in the marching band community. In 2011, Jeff founded GrandTours, Inc., a Saint Paul based company that provides world-class international concert tours to high school, college, and adult music ensembles. The company has served more than 25,000 students and has earned a reputation for excellence and its support of music education programs throughout Minnesota.
Royce Morrissette
After graduation from Saint John’s University in 1965, Royce Morrissette began his band directing career in Remer, Minn., where he taught music to all the grades, K-12. He moved to Foley, Minn., in 1967 and continued to establish a full band program, adding a colorguard to the marching band. The Foley Falcon Marching Band became a competitive organization under his direction. In 1984, Royce was asked to build a premier band program in South St Paul, Minn. Always a passionate advocate for instrumental music, he developed a field show marching band, colorguard, drumline, brass choir, jazz band and pep band. He worked with other activities staff so that one fall the football coach allowed several football players to take off their helmets and pads during halftime and march with the band as they performed their field show. Former Superintendent, Dave Metzen, had this to say regarding Royce’s impact on the South St Paul band program:
“In 18 years as Superintendent, hiring Royce Morrissette to run the band program was one of my best hires. In three years, Royce took a band program of 25 students and built it into a program with 150 students. Students who participated in the band program took great pride in their performances and they had fun.”
A former student who is now a band director said, “…he gave us wonderful opportunities; the marching program was exceptional and enjoyable.”
Royce took his bands to numerous parades and field show competitions including Winnipeg, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Chicago, Traverse City and Milwaukee, always having solid performances. Several students participated in Bands of America where the focus was on student leadership within the band program. In 1988, Royce was one of nine directors selected nationwide for participation in a summer fellowship program at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., that led to his master’s degree in music education in 1991.
Royce retired in 2000 after 35 years of teaching. In retirement he enjoyed being in the audience watching his grandchildren participate in many music programs. He discovered the time to pursue his many hobbies; most notably, the complete restoration of a 1961 Chevrolet Impala SuperSport vehicle.
The determination, tenacity, and effort Royce required from his band students was clearly evident in his own life when he was diagnosed with a rare type of lymphoma in 2013. He lived each day with gratitude and passed away on December 7, 2021. This “Music Man” truly had a wonderful life and he would be humbled by this recognition.
https://www.klecatskys.com/obituaries/Royce-William-Morrissette?obId=23587473
Barry Peterson
Barry Peterson has dedicated his life to teaching music. He started his teaching career in 1988 in Sartell, Minnesota. In 1990, he relocated to District 196 where he would teach instrumental music until 2021. During this span he taught at Dakota Hills Middle School, Black Hawk Middle School, Falcon Ridge Middle School, Eagan High School and Eastview High School. His middle school percussion ensembles from Dakota Hills, Black Hawk, and Falcon Ridge have represented ISD 196 as performers at Minnesota Music Educators mid-winter clinics. After a wholesome 33 years of teaching, Barry retired from teaching instrumental music in the schools.
Throughout his career in music, he instructed top percussion groups in the upper Midwest and was the director and founder of the Eagan High School Winter Percussion Ensemble that competed in the Minnesota Percussion Association (MPA) circuit, as well as Winter Guard International (WGI). Between 1993 and 2006, Eagan earned 13 MPA Percussion State Championships, was a three time WGI Midwest Regional World Class Champion and earned WGI World Class finalist status in 2002 and 2003 at the WGI World Championships. He also served as the percussion caption head for Minnesota Brass Incorporated Drum and Bugle Corps.
Today, he continues to be active as a clinician, performer, adjudicator and as a composer/arranger in the field of marching and concert percussion. He is a co-founder of the Minnesota Percussion Association, and in 2003 was inducted into the MPA Hall of fame. Barry continues to be an active adjudicator for Tri-State Judges Association, WSMA, MACBDA, ADOBA, MPA and as a freelance adjudicator. He is an educator endorsee with Innovative Percussion, and is a member of MENC, MBDA and the Percussive Arts Society.
Dale Gunderson. John Olson. Bill Sucha. Brent & Karen Turner.
Dale Gunderson
Graduating from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor of science degree in Music Education and an emphasis in Jazz Studies, Dale Gunderson began teaching at Grand Rapids in the fall of 1994.
As director of bands at Grand Rapids, Dale is involved in every aspect of a comprehensive instrumental-music program that includes Concert Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestras and Class Guitar. He also leads the Grand Rapids Area Community Big Band.
Dale has brought in several world-class clinicians, and the program has had the honor of playing with the Maynard Ferguson Band, the Birdland Big Band, the Cab Calloway Orchestra and the Glenn Miller Orchestra among others. And his Jazz Ensemble One was a featured on public radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” With the Grand Rapids Marching Band, Dale has, for 38 years (and counting) maintained a high level of performance and success in competition. Many accomplishments have been achieved on the field, but the one he’s most proud of is the legacy our alumni, boosters, parents and community have left for all future band students in Grand Rapids.
In addition to band directing, Gundy has been active as a coach. He has coached High School Girls hockey, High School and Middle School Golf, youth hockey as well as youth baseball for many years.
John Olson
John Olson received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Minnesota. He taught instrumental music in Osseo, Minnesota, public schools for 36 years. As director of bands at Park Center High School, he was involved with the marching band for 30 years. Under John’s leadership, the Marching Pirates worked to maintain a consistent commitment to quality at both rehearsals and performances while building group unity and a positive spirit among its members. The 130-member band has been showcased at national parades in Washington, D.C.; Calgary, Ontario; New York City; Chicago, and Orlando, among many others. It has also appeared at Minnesota’s most competitive parades, in which they consistently place among the state’s finest bands.
After his retirement in 2013, John taught low brass at Anoka Ramsey Community College for seven years. His retirement passion includes a busy schedule of music performance, including a recent trip with the Lake Wobegon Brass Band to England where they performed with championship brass bands Black Dyke and Grimethorpe. John actively performs with Twin Cities Latin Jazz Orchestra, Cedar Avenue Big Band, Century Jazz Ensemble, Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra, Classic Big Band and the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra.
Bill Sucha
A native of Schuyler, Nebraska, Bill Sucha marched his first parade as a fifth-grader playing alto saxophone. Since then, he has either performed with, taught or adjudicated marching bands, drum and bugle corps and color guards for 51 years and counting. In 2023, he will perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Dav Parade with the Band Directors Marching Band made up of directors from all over the United States. Bill attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for four years before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a double major of Instrumental and Vocal Music Education. He later earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum from the University of St. Thomas.
Currently he is in his second year as director of bands at Mounds View High School. Prior to that he was at Irondale High School for 25 years, during which time he taught three concert bands, two jazz bands, pep band, pit orchestra and directed the nationally recognized Irondale Marching Band, Winter Color Guard and Winter Drumline.
Always wanting to help any and all marching groups to be successful, he has worked and consulted with numerous bands in the upper Midwest. Bill has taken many drum majors and student leaders from area schools to the Bands of America Drum Major Institute.
Brent & Karen Turner
Together they have created and sustained one of the Upper Midwest’s finest contributions and tributes to the world of youth performing arts. It’s sort of a package deal.
Both have enjoyed long-time involvement in music and have raised two sons who also have been involved in music for most of their lives, not to mention participating in Youth in Music from the beginning.
This pair has performed with both the University of Minnesota Marching Band and its affiliated alumni marching band. And both have held leadership and other important positions with our own Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps for many years. He was a marching member and held leadership roles with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and many other musical organizations, has acted
as a judge in both marching-band and drum-corps competitions and remains active in the music world. He created Youth in Music as a showcase for Midwest high-school bands in 2005. The following year, Youth in Music became the venue for a state marching-band championship. She has been the operations manager from the beginning. Together they have turned Youth in Music into a highly anticipated and widely regarded event that is recognized around the country for excellence and commitment to youth performing arts.
Ray Gove. Leon J Sieve. Jim “Smitty” Smith
Ray Gove
Raymond Gove has played an integral part in marching activities in the state of Minnesota for decades. His work as an educator and an adjudicator has impacted thousands of students and fostered the growth of the marching arts in Minnesota.
Mr. Gove hails from Hastings, Minnesota and is a graduate of Hastings High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1960 from St. John’s University and a Master of Music Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1967. Mr. Gove also served as a member of the Minnesota Army National Guard for 26 years, 20 of which were as the Commander and Band Master of the 34th Division “Red Bull” Band.
Mr. Gove’s career with marching bands spanned 39 years and his teaching experience stretched across the State, from Williams, Minnesota near the Canadian border, to Freeborn, Minnesota, not far from the Iowa border, but it was the Central Minnesota community of Long Prairie where he landed and made his mark. During his 36 years in Long Prairie, he succeeded in building a nationally recognized marching band which traveled coast to coast during his tenure. Appearances included the Minneapolis Aquatennial, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Festival of States, the National Cherry Festival, Klondike Days, the Calgary Stampede, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Hula Bowl.
In addition to his accomplishments with his high school band, his 34th Division Red Bull Band supported many military ceremonies and appeared in many parades and concerts in cities throughout the State of Minnesota, including playing for President George H. W. Bush.
After retirement, Gove continued to adjudicate marching bands at competitions across the United States and furthered the mission of promoting music in our schools by working with Eckroth Music. In addition to marching band, Mr. Gove taught jazz band, concert band, pep band, elementary band and was the music department chair until his retirement in 1999.
In 2014, Mr. Gove moved with his wife Joan, from Long Prairie back to their childhood home of Hastings. Mr. Gove has three children and three grandchildren, all of whom have been active participants in music. Mr. Gove continues to enjoy making music as a member of the River Valley Community Band and is a frequent patron of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Leon J Sieve
Leon Sieve joined the faculty of Rosemount High School, Rosemount, Minnesota in the fall of 2002 and is in his 29th year of teaching instrumental music. Leon received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota in May, 1993 and a Masters Degree from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon in July, 2005.
Leon’s responsibilities at Rosemount High School include conducting the RHS Wind Ensemble, he is a woodwind specialist for the band program, team teaches the fall marching band, woodwind chamber ensemble, winter pep band, solo and ensemble, and coordination of the award winning RHS Color Guard. He also directs the musical “pit” for the outstanding RHS Drama Department and has held the role of department coordinator for the music, art and dance department.
Leon’s concert bands have twice been selected to perform at the Minnesota Music Educators Conference – Mid-Winter Clinic. In 2002 the Milaca High School Symphonic Band was selected to perform and in 2021 the Rosemount HS Wind Ensemble was selected for this prestigious honor. The Rosemount band performed in the 2014 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA and the 2017 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
Leon began his band experience in the small Southwest Minnesota town of Adrian in the 4th grade. He credits the excitement and energy of then band director Joe Silko in getting him started on his instrumental music path and the saxophone. In high school, Leon was drum major of the marching band and was a part of the concert, jazz and pep bands within the program. After graduating for Adrian High School, Leon then moved on to SDSU where he was a member of the “Pride of the Dakotas” Marching Band playing alto saxophone and was also a member of the South Dakota State University Symphonic Band and Jazz Program. Leon auditioned for and was selected as a member of the 1989 and 1991 Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps based in Madison, WI. Leon began his color guard career performing with the Scouts and is thankful to have been taught by Michael Turner, David Veda, Mike Volves and Chad Duggen during those performing years. During the summer of 1992, Leon was on color guard staff with Black Gold Drum and Bugle Corps based in Tulsa, OK. All three of the drum corps seasons were filled with long rehearsals, gym floors, over-night bus trips, lots of sandwiches and tons of memories. “I am forever grateful to the people I met, the places I was able to perform and the experiences I had while touring the country as a drum corps member”
Mr. Sieve was awarded a “Leadership in Educational Excellence” award and is the 2001 recipient of the “Minnesota Distinguished Young Band Director Award.” He is listed in “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” and is a member of Music Educators National Conference (MENC) the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), and the Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA) and has served as the Metro High School Representative to the Board of Directors. He was inducted into Phi Beta Mu in February, 2003. Leon is a past President of the North Star Colorguard Circuit.
Leon states, “Congratulations to the all the marching bands who are performing at Youth in Music today. Having just been through a very challenging year and half as arts educators and student musicians, it is amazing to see the creativity, excellent and excitement on the field. Kudos to all the students who share the passion of band with each other and the audience today. We will come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
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Jim “Smitty” Smith
Jim Smith was chosen by the YIMMY Hall of Fame peer group to be inducted into the Class of 2021.
Jim graduated from Yankton HS in 1958. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music Education from the University of South Dakota.
He began a 42 year teaching career at New Underwood as band and Choir director in 1965. In 1966 he became the Band and Choir Director for Irene Public Schools transferring to West Lyon Community Schools, Inwood Iowa as Director of Bands. In 1980 he began a 27 year term as Director of Bands at O’Gorman High School in Sioux Falls.
The O’Gorman Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands under S,mioth’s leadership hae won numerous awards in local, regional and national competitions. In 2004 the O’Gorman Marching Knights represented South Dakota at the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington DC. He was the recipient of the South Dakota Outstanding Bandmaster Award in 1995, he was finalist for the Sioux Falls Teacher of the year in 1993 and was inducted into the Tankton HS Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2003. Smith was featured in the December 2005 issue of School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the 50 Directors Who Make a Difference.
Jim was an enthusiastic director and a constant supporter of the youth of Sioux Falls. Under his direction the O’Gorman Band won numerous awards on the street, marching field, and concert hall. Among his many personal awards was the coveted Distinguished Service Award from the SDHSAA in 2006 and the Distinguished Service award from Phi Beta Mu in 2008. He was an active leader in the South Dakota Bandmaster Organization serving as President as well as many other capacities where his expertise best served his fellow educators. He promoted high school band programs all over the state and was appreciated by his fellow teachers and students.
David Haugen. Wayne Ivers.
David Haugen
David Haugen is being inducted into the Youth In Music Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements in teaching instrumental music and marching band. His years of experience include teaching at high schools in Goldfield, Ia, Windom MN, South St Paul MN, and most recently Sioux Falls Lincoln and Roosevelt SD. He concluded his career teaching in elementary and middle schools of Sioux Falls.
Mr. Haugen received his BA Degree from Luther College in 1964 and MA Degree from the University of Northern CO in 1968.
He has served as guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for festivals and contests in SD, MN, IA, WI, NE and AZ. Bands conducted by Mr. Haugen have received Sweepstakes Awards at many regional and national events. These include the Red Riover Exhib ition, Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Rose Blossom Festival. The Anoka Marching Band direct3d by Mr. Haugen was selected to be the official Minnesota band marching in the 1976 Presidential INaugural Parade in Washington, DC. The South St Paul Band was Minnesota State Fiar Champions during his tenure there. Articles authored by Mr. Haugen have appeared in The Instrumentalist and South Dakota Musician.
Mr. Haugen’s personal accomplishments include: Outstanding Band Director Award from Phi Beta Mu, Distinguished Band Master Award from the American School Band Directors Association, Carlo Sperati Award for Excellence in Music Education from Luther College, Outstanding Music Educator Award from the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Association, Distinguished Service Award from phi Beta Mu, and the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame. He has served as the Band Chairman for the SDMEA, Regional Representative for the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associaiton, President of the South Dakota Band Masters Association and President of the South Dakota Phi Beta Mu Chapter.
Mr Haugen’s wife, Joan, is a retired elementary teacher. Daughter, Clara, is a fith grad teacher and son, Kyle is also a music educator.
Congratulations to David Haugen for being inducted into the 2020 Class! We honor you here as we were not able to do it properly last year in times of the pandemic.
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Wayne Ivers
Graduated from Willmar, MN
Bachelor of Science in Music Education – Bemidji State University
Master of Arts in Education – St. Mary’s College
Post Masters – Illinois State University, University of South Dakota
Wayne Ivers has been a band director in Minnesota for the past 44 years. He has been employed at Marshall High School since 1983. Upon his arrival in Marshall the band program consisted of 175 band members in two concert bands, one jazz band, one pep band, and a marching band that totaled 95 members. Currently the band program consists of 225 members involved in four concert bands, two jazz bands, two pep bands, and a marching band that totals 180 members.
Prior to his arrival in Marshall Mr. Ivers was the Band and Choir Director in Clara City, MN for 6 years. While in Clara City the program grew from 85 to 130 in grades 9-12 alone. The Clara City Marching Band was a two-time State American Legion Field Marching Class A Champion.
Mr. Ivers has served on several state and local boards and committees including two terms on the Minnesota Music Educators State Board, Ex-Officio Officer and co-founder of the Marshall Music Boosters, board and coaches committee member for the Marshall Amateur Hockey Association, committee member for Marshall American Legion Baseball, and has been the Chair for several youth Hockey and Baseball Local, District, and Region tournaments as well as the Chair of the 2003 13B State Baseball Tournament. Mr. Ivers also was President and Chief Negotiator of the Clara City Education Assoc. and the Marshall Education Association Chief Negotiator since 1998.
Wayne Ivers is one of the founders of the Pursuit of Excellence Marching Band Competition hosted in conjunction with the Marshall Music Boosters, Marshall Public Schools, and Southwest Minnesota State University. Pursuit of Excellence annually includes 18 of the best Marching Bands from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
As Director of the Marshall Tiger Marching Band the band has become one of the top groups in the upper mid-west. They have won Sweepstakes Field Marching Championships in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. In the Minnesota State Marching Band Championships the band competes in Class 4A placing 3rd twice and never lower than 5th. The Marching Band has competed twelve times in Bands of America Competitions placing in the top five in Class five times, and five times in the top three in their class. In 2005 the band placed 2nd in Class AA and 12th in Open Class Finals. In 2012 they were the St. Louis Super Regional Class A Champion also receiving the Class A Award for Outstanding Music Performance and Outstanding General Effect.
In 1995 The Marshall High School Music Department was recognized by the State of Minnesota as a Program of Excellence. In 2005, 2012, and 2017 Marshall was selected by the NAMM Organization as one of the top 100 Communities in Music Education in the United States. In 2012 Mr. Ivers was named Minnesota’s representative to School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference”. The Minnesota Music Educators Association named him the 2019 Minnesota Music Educator of the Year.
Mr. Ivers has judged Concert Band, Solos, Ensembles, Jazz Bands, and Marching Bands throughout Minnesota and South Dakota over the past forty plus years.
Bob Carlson. Pam Diem.
Bob Carlson
Bob Carlson is a native of western New York State. Recently retired, he had forty-three years of educational experience with bands at all levels. His career began in Parkston, South Dakota, where he spent nine years. During that time, the Parkston Band was named the most outstanding marching band at the International Youth Band Festival, competing with bands from 16 nations and the United States in 1976. The Parkston Band also performed at the South Dakota Bandmasters Convention in 1977.
Bob moved to Pipestone, Minnesota in 1978. During the time that Carlson was the director in Pipestone, his band traveled to the Portland Rose Festival, Clagary Stampede, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Walt Disney World, four Minnesota Vikings football halftime performances, one Green Bay Packers halftime performance, Winnipeg’s Red River Exposition, and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. The Pipestone Band twice won the sweekpstakes trophy at the Quad State Field Competition at USD in Vermillion, South Dakota; once at the TriState Band Festival in Luverne, Minnesota; and twice at the Festival of Bands in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The symphonic band also received consistent three-star ratings on Cagegory-One music for the 21 years of his directorship in Pipestone.
Carlson joined the staff at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1999, where he taught in co-directorship with his son, Dan Carlson. During that time, the Lincoln Band has remained very competitive and has participated in both the 2000 and 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, as well as the 2005 and 2013 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In June of 2001, Bob and Dan Carlson were featured on the cover of School Band and Orchestra magazine. The Lincoln High School Symphonic Band performed at the South Dakota Bandmasters Convention in 2001, 2006, 2010, and again in 2013. The Lincoln Band has averaged 25 students in All-State Band for the last twelve years and set a new state record of 37 students in All-State Band in 2010.
The LHS Marching Band has won numerous awards in the Upper Midwest. Bob’s list of accolades and leadership positions is lengthy and prestigious. Here is a sampling: Bob received the John Phillip Sousa Foundation “Legion of Honor” Sulder award in 1998. This award recognizes ten band directors nationally each year who have had quality band programs for at least fifteen years and have held positions of leadership in their profession. This award was presented at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In 2000, Dakota Wesleyan University honored Carlson by naming him Outstanding Alumni Educator. He was named to the Lake Shore Central High School Hall of Fame (Angola, New York) in 2001. In 2006, he received the Bandmaster of the Year for the state of South Dakota as well as Outstanding Music Educator for the Upper Midwest. In April, 2008, Carlson was inducted into the Pipestone Area Music Hall of Fame. Also in 2008, Carlson received the Sioux Falls Mayor’s Award for the Arts. Bob served as president of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association from 2009 – 2011.
Bob and his wife, Mary, of forty-three years, have three children: Kevin and wife Andrea, Dan, and Kathy and husband Clayton (Haupt); and seven grandchildren: Mikayla, Isabel, Zachary, Kyan, Payge, Jacob, and Adrienne.
Pam Diem
Pam Diem was the band director at Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg High School (KMS) where she retired in 2022 after 35 years of teaching where she was responsible for the entire instrumental music department, grades 5-12. Her duties included directing the 5th grade band, 6th grade band, 7-8th grade concert band, 9-12 concert band, pep band, Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II, KMS Marching Saints, Drumline, Pit Orchestra, and Solo/Ensembles. Upon her retirement in 2022 she stayed on teaching the 5th and 6th bands at KMS Elementary for an additional 4 years.
Keith Johnson. Gary Swanson.
Keith Johnson
Keith Johnson was the Band Director in Litchfield Schools from 1964 to 1999. The concert and Jazz Bands under Keith received Superior Ratings at Minnesota State High School League sponsored music contests every year.
The marching band received many awards in Minnesota and Nationally during his tenure
as Band Director. For many years Keith was an instrumental music judge for the Minnesota State High School League. He received the Minnesota Music Educators Band Director of the Year in 1995 and also the American Federation of High School Administrators and Coaches Band Director of the Year in 1996.
Mr Johnson has been a 35 year member of Lions Clubs International and the local Litchfield Lions Club.
Keith Johnson has been of the Mayor Litchfield from 2011 to 2018. He has also directed the Zion Lutheran Church Choir for 38years, A Women’s Choral group for 5 years, and directed a volunteer community Palm Sunday orchestra and choral group for 20 years.
Keith remains involved as a instrumental and vocal soloist in an around the Litchfield community. Keith and his wife, Marian of 55 years, are blessed with three sons and six grandchildren. Youth In Music is honored to welcome Keith Johnson to our Hall of Fame.
Gary Swanson
You’d have to look long and hard to find anyone who’s made a bigger impact on the color guard activity in Minnesota and the upper Midwest than Gary Swanson. He’s been a performer, instructor, designer, judge, and mentor for over 30 years. We all know him as the Godfather of colorguard in this area and he is highly regarded.
From his time as a performer and instructor at the University of Minnesota in the 80s and early 90s, his 25+ years leading summer, fall, and winter programs at Irondale High School, his work with MN Brass and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps, and even a stint designing and teaching hundreds of performers as part of the 1992 Super Bowl Halftime show, Gary has always focused on the growth and success of the students and programs under his influence.
He has been a teacher and mentor to countless designers and instructors in the color guard activity, and his influence can be seen in some way, shape, or form in virtually every summer, fall, or winter color guard program in Minnesota in existence today. Gary has received THE BRASSY, a hall of fame award given by Minnesota Brass for over 50 years. His accomplishments are too many to mention.
Gary’s impact has been profound, his enthusiasm has been infectious, and his passion is never-ending. Youth in Music is honored to welcome Gary Swanson to our Hall of Fame.
Roger Bjorklund. John Greene.
Roger Bjorklund
A native of Minneapolis, Roger Bjorklund began his career as a band and choir director at Clara City High School. In 1961 he started the band program at the new St. Anthony Village High School with 9 just students. With Roger’s commitment to excellence and a belief in a balanced program centered on concert music, the band flourished rapidly.
His Concert Band performed at the State Music Convention and annually earned unanimous superior ratings at contest. The band was selected as a Program of Excellence by the Department of Education. His Jazz Ensemble performed at local and national events and was featured on WCCO TV.
Under Roger’s leadership, the St. Anthony Marching Band consistently received first place awards at local, national and international competitions including 7 consecutive first place awards at Minneapolis Aquatennial Torchlight Parades. They also earned 3 championship awards at Lions International Parades and Grand Champion awards in Calgary, Winnipeg and Washington DC.
In 1988 Roger founded the Patriots Marching Band, a 170 member parade band drawing membership from 4 suburban communities, and served as the executive director until his retirement in 1991.
Bjorlklund has received the St Anthony Outstanding Citizen Award, the MAC Bandmaster Award and the Excellence in Education Award. He served as president of the ASBDA and the Phi Beta Mu Band Fraternity.
He was a Minnesota Music Educators board member and served for 6 years as an All State judge. In 2001 he was named to the MMEA Hall of Fame.
Through excellence and encouragement Roger Bjorklund taught thousands of students to treasure their music experiences.
Roger Bjorklund passed away on July 14, 2025.
https://www.washburn-mcreavy.com/obituaries/roger-bjorklund/#!/TributeWall
John Greene
John Greene recently retired after 37 years of teaching instrumental
music, mostly in ISD 196 – Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan. He holds degrees
from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Minnesota State
University.
Most recently at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley, MN, John
taught concert bands, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble and studio
Middle School Jazz Ensemble was awarded numerous honors at regional jazz
festivals, and appeared at the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic twice.
John has served as the Jazz Chair for MMEA. He was middle level director
for Minnesota Youth Jazz Bands. John is a member of MBDA and was inducted
into Phi Beta Mu in 2009. He has been active as an arranger for concert,
jazz, marching, percussion and chamber groups, both for his own groups and
as a consultant. In his role as an adjudicator, John judges over 25
events per year, which have taken him to 14 states and Canada. He has
served in leadership roles as the Judge Administrator for the Mid-American
Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA) and the Minnesota Percussion
Association.
the Minnesota Music Educators Association. He has recently directed both
the MBDA 6-8 State Honor Jazz Band and MBDA State Honor 6-8 Concert Band.
Steve Olsen
Steve has dedicated his life to his students and music education. He is a role model father, husband, grandfather and teacher. He has held leadership positions in the Minnesota Music Educators Association (Band VP 1990-92 & MSHSL Music Rep 1998-2002) and Minnesota Band Directors Association (Charter Member Board of Directors). He has led band programs at Bloomington Kennedy HS (1 year), Eden Prairie HS (12 years) and Rosemount HS (20 years). He has mentored many students into the music education career field and has taught thousands more.
Olsen retired in 2018 after 37 years as a public-school band director. His last four of teaching in ISD 196 were as a 5th-grade Beginning band director, and he continues teaching 5th grade band part-time in ISD 196. “His leadership and service as a musician and educator were influential in the growth and success of our concert and marching band program,” Rosemount High’s Performing Arts Department said in a statement. “Steve’s leadership in the area of instrumental music education is felt throughout ISD196, the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and the State of Minnesota.”
Olsen received the “Impact Award for Distinguished Teaching” from the University of Minnesota in 2005, was inducted into Phi Beta Mu (International Honorary Fraternity of Band Directors) in 2006, was inducted into the Youth in Music Marching Arts Hall of Fame in 2016, was voted the 2017 Schmitt Music Educator of the Year and was awarded the Rosemount HS “Performing Arts Legacy Award” in 2021.
A trumpet player, Olsen continues to perform in the Genesis Jazz Orchestra and the Rosemount Community Band. He also remains active as a judge and clinician for instrumental music contests and festivals.
Steve and his wife Natalie (who is also a retired ISD196 and Farmington Band Director) live in Apple Valley and are the proud parents of three adult children and six adorable grandchildren.
Dave Gudmastad
Dave Gudmastad directed the Winona Cotter High School Band Program for 25 years. He retired from teaching band at Cotter in 2012, and continues to work as a music educator in the Winona area. He is currently an instructor in the Music Education Department at Winona State University. He also directs the Winona MIddle School Jazz Band and the Jazz Combo Program at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA).
Prior to his tenure at Cotter High School, Dave served as Vocal and Instrumental Music Director for West River Public Schools in Dupree, SD, and as Director of Bands in the Centerville Public Schools in Centerville, SD and the Lynnville-Sully Community Schools in Sully, IA. Dave earned a Bachelor of Arts from Augustana College and a Master of Music from the University of South Dakota.
Dave was named the Minnesota Music Educator of the Year in 2007.
Dave has been a Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin adjudicator for large group, solo/ensemble, jazz ensemble and marching band festivals since 1980. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) and on the Music Advisory Council for the Minnesota State High School League. He is also a charter member of the Winona Brass Band, as well as a member of the Jazz Education Network, Minnesota Band Directors Association, Phi Beta Mu, and International Trumpet Guild. Dave continued to be active in music, the marching arts and judging until his passing on September 13, 2025.
https://www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Dave-B-Gudmastad?obId=45369602
Tom Haugen
Tom began playing in band in 6th grade on trombone under the guidance of Russell Platz in Decorah, Iowa. Haugen was selected to many honor bands while in high school and later attended Decorah’s Luther College, a fine music school.
Tom has been the spark plug for many fine band programs in Iowa and Minnesota. Since retiring from public school education, he and his lovely bride Lola have been involved in mentoring student teachers from Luther College, continuing their rigorous judging schedule with their Tri- State Judging Association, and no doubt playing a little golf along the way.
Tom has been the recipient of many leadership awards for his teaching, leadership and mentoring. This past year Tom, who has taught music for 53 years, was received into the Minnesota Music Educator’s Hall of Fame.
Lola and Tom have two grown children and they are continually busy attending the concerts and activities of their 2 grandchildren.
Butch Dufault
Waseca High School Band Director for 19 years (1975-1994)
Richard “Butch” and Marilyn Dufault came to Waseca in 1975 when Butch took the job of the high school band director. All the Dufault Children, Todd, Zoe Ann, Monte, Barry and Jared, played in the band.
Butch directed the first Waseca Marching Jays Indoor Concert in the Fall, 1975, patterned after the style of the University of Minnesota Marching Band.
Marilyn said her husband loved what he was doing as a high school band director and loved to work with his students. His approach to the band was that he would do the best job he could.
Butch was passionate and driven. He would videotape his bands’ rehearsals and later watch the films, looking for ways to improve; a method ahead of its time. He brought out the best in his students. He was very well respected.
“His philosophy was that competition is what motivates us, but marching band is more than a trophy. Band taught them life skills they could take with them for the rest of their lives, to be the best they can be”, said his son Todd.
Butch wanted the Marching Jays to be Ambassadors for Waseca, always wearing clean uniforms, and conducting themselves with class when they performed out of town. He was very proud of Waseca.
In 1994 the Waseca Marching Classic Committee honored Butch and Marilyn as Grand Marshals. The 26th annual Classic in September, 2013, paid tribute to Butch. He was one of the co-founders of this event when it began in conjunction with the 1988 Waseca All School Reunion. He served on the committee for 25 years. The sweepstakes trophy, given each year at the Marching Classic to the overall champion in both parade and field competition, was named the Richard “Butch” Dufault Sweepstakes Award in his honor. Butch was well known in the marching community in Minnesota and the surrounding states as a band director, music clinician and a judge.
Butch passed away on March 17, 2013.
Mr. Dufault will always be rememebered for his contributions to the Waseca High School Band program and the Waseca Community.
https://www.dsofuneral.com/obituaries/dufault-richard
