Michael Leckrone
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Michael (Mike) Leckrone is the current director of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. He became the famed director of the marching band in 1969. He has been noted for his extraordinary ability to remember the names of all the past and present members of the band, as well as where they were from, and what instrument they played.[1]
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[edit] Background
A native of Indiana, Michael Leckrone received his bachelor and masters of music at Butler University. Leckrone went on to study at the doctorate level at Indiana University. He eventually became the director of bands for three years at his alma mater, Butler University. In 1969, he became the director of the marching band at the University of Wisconsin. He has resided at the University of Wisconsin for 39 years. He has composed or arranged many pieces, and over 200 of his compositions for marching and concert bands have been published. [2]
[edit] Tenure at Wisconsin
When Mike Leckrone became the director of the Wisconsin Marching Band, interest in the program was very low. By creating a new demanding marching style, “stop at the top," pre-game run on, and emphasizing showmanship, Mike Leckrone turned the program around. The growth and success of the Wisconsin Marching Band is his proudest accomplishment. Talking about his half-time shows, Leckrone said, "I have always patterned my shows around the old Ed Sullivan Television Show. The most important thing the Sullivan Show had going for it was variety. If you didn't like an act that Ed introduced, you knew that in a minute or two, there would be something entirely different." He also extended his efforts off the football field by establishing the Varsity Band to play at other sporting events. [3]
[edit] Spring Concert
In 1975, Professor Leckrone created the Varsity Band’s Annual Spring Concert. The first show only consisted of a crowd of 450; however, there are now three concerts each spring in front of 25,000 Wisconsin Badger fans. The concerts mark the final performances for that years’ Wisconsin Band. [4]
[edit] Awards and Recognitions
- Named an “Outstanding Educator of America” by the Outstanding Americans Foundation in 1970.
- Awarded the "Outstanding Bandmaster Award" by the Wisconsin Chapter of Phi Beta Mu in 1973.
- Presented with a Citation of Excellence by the National Band Association in 1986
- Received the "Pat O'Dea Award", the "Blue Line Club Distinguished Service Award", the "Badger Basketball Boosters Distinguished Service Award," the UW Alumni Club "Distinguished Faculty Award," and the Wisconsin Newspaper Writers "Special Edition Award."
- Inducted into the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Football Hall of Fame
- Honored with an appointment to a prestigious "John Bascom Professorship by the University of Wisconsin.
- Received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Music by the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music in 2007. [5]
[edit] References
- ^ Wood, Bob (Robert) (1989). Big Ten country : a journey through one football season. Morrow. ISBN 0688089224.
- ^ Wisconsin Band Staff - University of Wisconsin Marching Band
- ^ History: The Leckrone Era - University of Wisconsin Marching Band
- ^ Spring Concert - University of Wisconsin Marching Band
- ^ Wisconsin Band Staff - University of Wisconsin Marching Band
[edit] External links
- Official Site of UW Marching Band
- Downloadable 16-minute audio interview with UW Band Director Michael Leckrone, Leckrone talks about band history, evolution of the Spring Concert and UW fans around the United States.
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