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Tremon Kizer named KBMA Young Band Director of the Year 

Coffeyville Community College (CCC) Instrumental Music Instructor, Tremon Kizer, was named the Kansas Band Master/Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Band Director of the Year.  The honor is bestowed upon instrumental music teachers who work with students in grades Kindergarten through college.  Kizer is the first collegiate band director to be honored.  He joined former Sedan, Kan. band teacher, Brian Kirk (now teaching in Wichita, Kan.), as they were honored by the Kansas Band Masters Association (KBMA) at the state convention this summer in Wichita, Kan. 

The Bandmasters look at three criteria when choosing those instructors to honor.  The first criteria is how well the director’s program is doing including growth and quality of the ensembles based upon word-of-mouth.  In the two years that Kizer has director the instrumental music program at CCC his program has grown from 16 to over 35 students.  The program has a new marching band as well as jazz ensemble, both of which compliment the large band. 

Tremon Kizer and the CCC Band

“T,” as some call him, (known by his students as the shoeless director) leads his marching band during a Red Raven football game last fall.  According to Kizer, he has even nearly forgotten to put on the shoes before formal concerts.  “I feel more comfortable directing with no shoes,” he said. 

The second criteria involves the director’s commitment to the profession.  Kizer is a member of the Kansas Band Masters Association and serves as the Kansas Intercollegiate Band Chairman on the KBMA board.  He is also a member of the Kansas Music Educators Association and the College Band Directors National Association. 

The third criteria is the director’s involvement within the community and state.  The KBMA focused on Kizer’s Symphony of Winds project and how much it has grown over the past two years.  In the spring, Kizer brings over 250 students from the region to the CCC campus.  The students attend classes and practice all day before performing in the evening.  This program has doubled in size in the past two years. 

 “It has grown in part due to the fact that we offer more things for students to do during the day such as sectionals and master classes,” said Kizer.  “There is more involvement from the band directors and instead of using college directors to help lead the sectionals, we use high school directors from outside of the area as they sometimes relate better to the age group.  I think the word is getting out more and more about how great CCC.” 

The public will have its first chance to see the CCC Marching Band at the first Red Raven home football game on September 8.  If you can’t wait to hear them, the pep band will play for the Aug. 29 Red Raven Volleyball game.  Kizer is also planning a Beatles show for the Sept. 15 home football game. 

Join the CCC Instrumental Music Department conversation at the Coffeyville Community College Music Department Facebook page.  For more information about the CCC Instrumental Music Department call 1-800-782-4732.