Matt Kloepfer, the new band instructor for the USD 257 schools, told Iola Rotarians he was “blown away” by the long tradition of outstanding high school bands in Iola. Kleopker said he ws particularly impressed with the reputation that Dale Creitz established in the decades that he directed the school and city bands.
He said he told his students that IHS bands formerly had as many as 130-140 members and played compositions that Kloepfer described as “hard, very hard,” and often won competitions and achieved high ratings in competitive meets.
He said this year’s band was doing well and that he was proud of their behavior here and when they have appeared in out-of-town settings.
He said he has a mentoring program in progress in which older band members teach young students aspiring to join the band. He also has started a jazz band which “has really caught fire.”
Kloepfer is a graduate of Wichita State University where he took post-graduate courses in conducting.
Neil Westervelt, club president, introduced him.
In the business session prior to Kloepfer’s presentation, Lyssa Jackson, director of the Allen County Historical Society, was inducted into membership.
IHS band director lauds student efforts
