Matt Kleopfer and Mary Kay Heard both remember vividly their first meeting more than four years ago.
Kleopfer, Iola High School’s incoming high school and middle school music instructor, was introducing himself to the community. One of the names he heard frequently was that of Heard’s, an IHS alumnus and long-time band supporter.
“I told him, ‘the best thing you can do for these kids is stick around,’” Heard told a large audience Friday at the third annual Iola Bands Banquet. “He’s brought so much more than just consistency.”
Kleopfer, likewise, learned how deep Heard’s roots were ingrained in the Iola music scene.
She was a flutist, a majorette and eventually on of the “IOLA” girls who led the band through parades.
“She was responsible for me learning about this program, and about so many great kids before me,” Kleopfer said. “I’m a huge, huge fan of Mary Kay Heard.”
It was Heard’s lifelong dedication — she and husband David ran the old Western Auto store before retiring not long ago — that made her an easy selection, Kleopfer said, as the latest induction into the Iola Bands Hall of Fame.
She’s the fourth hall-of-famer to be inducted, joining the late Dale P. Creitz, Julie Tidd and Judy Zirjacks.
Heard touched on her time as a band student under Creitz.
“I did love Mr. Creitz,” she told the current band members, “as I can tell you love Mr. K. It’s a special relationship. Mr. Creitz was a great teacher, and like all great teachers, he taught us so much more than just music. He taught us to take responsibility for our actions. A student is very lucky to have a teacher like that. Mr. K follows in that tradition.”
“I’ve been out of high school a long time,” Heard said. “In my heart, I’m still a kid with a baton. In my heart, I’ll always be a marching Mustang.”
Under Kleopfer’s tutelage, “the music has returned,” Heard said, referring to the band program’s acclaimed halftime shows, parade marches, pep band performances at basketball games, jazz band concerts and individual students making their mark at district and state-level bands.
THE PRAISE wasn’t limited to Heard’s comments.
Dr. Ryan Heinlein, music director at Ottawa University, also spoke glowingly of the USD 257 music program.
