Previous Inductees – Marching Band Hall of Fame

Harold Lorenz was a well-respected man with vision and commitment as he worked to bring the WSMA State Marching Band Championships to fruition.  Lorenz believed strongly that there should be a statewide culminating marching event that brings all interested WSMA member schools together to perform on the same day at the same field.  While on the WSMA Board of Directors and principal at Cudahy High School, he brought that belief into reality.  We have reaped the benefits of that commitment for the past 30 years, today and long into the future.

Harold Lorenz was born on September 2, 1928 and attended Cathedral High School in Belleville, Illinois.  He received his bachelor of science in music education from the University of Illinois in Urbana and later his masters of science in music from the University of South Dakota.  Lorenz taught band in Jennings, Missouri and Sioux City, Iowa in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  In 1956 Harold Lorenz moved to the Milwaukee area and taught band at Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay.  Soon after, he became band director at Cudahy High School.  In his 29 year career in Cudahy, Lorenz was band director, assistant principal and finally principal retiring in July of 1989.

During his life Lorenz was dedicated to family, friends, community, music and the marching activity.  His children remember him fondly with all seven participating in band, several under his direction, and one of his sons becoming a band director.  When he was principal, he continually supported the efforts of students to participate in marching band and athletics once even flying students to Wausau from an athletic commitment in the morning to a marching band performance that afternoon.

Lorenz was director of the Milwaukee Lake Band in the 1960s and early 70s.  Under his direction the Lake Band was renowned for its excellence in marching and concert band performance, winning many recognitions locally and nationally including several national championships.  He was a member of the Central States Judges Association and travelled sharing his knowledge and passion for the marching activity through adjudication.  In the community, he belonged to the Cudahy Lion’s Club and was president for two years.

Harold Lorenz was diagnosed with leukemia, but before his passing he was given a testimonial dinner that featured a performance by a band of former students.  Fellow band director Ed Ward from Chicago recognized Lorenz as the best band director that Ward had ever known presenting him a baton owned and used by Richard Strauss.  Harold Lorenz passed away on October 20, 1989.

Dr. Glenn C. Hayes has been integral to the face of marching band in Wisconsin for decades. He has not only directed the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Marching Band for the past 30 years, but he also hosts and helps organize the WSMA State Marching Band Championships at UW-Whitewater. His dedication and contributions to the WSMA State Marching Band Championships help make the event possible.

In his 30^th year as Director of Bands at UW-Whitewater. Hayes’ responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, University Band and the Warhawk Marching Band. His other teaching areas include graduate and undergraduate conducting, graduate music education, wind literature, secondary instrumental music methods, student teacher supervision and marching band techniques. His previous positions include Moorhead (MN) State University, Bowling Green (OH) State University, Greater Muskegon (MI) Catholic Schools and Grad Blanc (MI) Community High School. His primary conducting teachers have been John P. Paynter, Elizabeth A. H. Green and Norman C. Dietz. Hayes earned his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University and his graduate degrees from Northwestern University.

Under the guidance of Hayes, the UW-Whitewater band program has received regional, national and international acclaim for excellence in performance both in the concert hall and on the marching field. On February 20, 2013, he led the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in the featured performance of the New York Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall to great acclaim – the first Wisconsin university band to perform in the legendary venue. In addition, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble has performed as the featured ensemble at the 2006 International Wind Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England and the 2014 Chicago International Music Festival. The Warhawk Marching Band has performed 11 times for the Green Bay Packers, three times for the Milwaukee Brewers opening day ceremonies and annually marches in exhibition at the WSMA State Marching Band Championships.

Dr. Hayes has been an untiring supporter of music education through his leadership in WSMA, his service to the state in clinics, workshops and camps, and his leadership of the bands at UW-Whitewater. Students at UW-Whitewater are enthusiastic about playing in the marching band and many come to UW-Whitewater expressly for their involvement in the marching program. Hayes has a natural and genuine love for students and music as well as a passion for musical excellence. The marching band program is home to many future music educators who pass on Hayes’ love of music as well as his love of marching to their own students. Through his efforts with future music educators, Hayes’ legacy is one that will continue to positively impact music throughout the state of Wisconsin for generations to come.

Dedication, pride, integrity: Cumberland School District band director, Daniel J. Hopkins, lives this mantra to excel in his own career and motivate his students. Under his direction, the Cumberland High School Marching Band has appeared at the WSMA State Marching Band Championships for 20 consecutive years. As of 2016, his band has established itself as a perennial leader in performance excellence by winning a record 13 state championships, the most for a director in WSMA history. Hopkins built this record with one of the smallest student bodies in the state of Wisconsin; by his third year of teaching, the marching band increased in size by over 40 percent and earned its first state title. Since then, the marching band has maintained a membership of 25 to 35 percent of the student body.

Hopkins began his music career in New Richmond, Wisconsin as a percussionist in the championship marching band. After graduating from the Armed Forces School of Music, Hopkins served with the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps from 1986 to 1990. Following his tour of duty, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from UW-River Falls and a Master’s Degree in Education from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. Hopkins has studied under Charles Marvray, Truman Crawford and J. Michael Roy while performing in 44 states, internationally in Scotland, England and Canada, and for three U.S. Presidents.

Hopkins began his teaching career in 1995; his teaching responsibilities have included general music, humanities and instrumental music. Involvement with WSMA activities is one of many ways Hopkins exposes students to a variety of performance venues and experiences. Cumberland High School Marching Band has travelled over 40,000 miles across the United States, performing in numerous concerts, parades and clinics. Hopkins also established and continues to host the Northern Lights Marching Classic each year. Hopkins emphasizes humility and respect for one another, community and competing bands. His military background lays the groundwork for developing moral character, as well as musical ability. During his tenure, all but two valedictorians have been marching band members, while several of his students successfully audition for the WSMA State Honors Music Project each year.

In addition to teaching, Hopkins has been a valued contributor to WSMA, dedicating time and effort to developing student programs. As well as being an active clinician and adjudicator, he has served on Marching Band and State Honors Music Project Committees and as WMEA Northwest District Vice President. His contributions to WSMA marching activities include: implementing fair class specification, rotating performance times, creating a festival class, solidifying week 15 of the WIAA high school calendar as the championship date, establishing travel stipends for long distance schools, and expanding the adjudication pool to include out-of-state judges.

Hopkins’ mantra, “Dedication, pride, integrity,” has built a legacy of inspiration and guidance while sharing a core belief with WSMA, that music develops creativity, self-expression, discipline and teamwork.

David Heilman has been one of the leading voices in the promotion of music education and marching in the state of Wisconsin for over forty years. As a member of the initial planning committee, Heilman was a major contributor to the first WSMA State Marching Band Championships held in 1985. He has been the cornerstone of the program serving as Committee Chairman every year since its inception. His dedication to the growth of marching in Wisconsin extends past promoting and organizing the State Championships, as his expertise is relied on greatly for the planning of independent marching band shows hosted throughout the state each year.

A graduate from Edgewood High School in 1969 and the University of Wisconsin in 1974, Heilman began his teaching career at Verona High School. During his ten years there (1974-1984), the Verona Band was chosen on three separate occasions to represent Wisconsin in the Festival of States National Band Invitational. His Verona band also won the first Wisconsin State High School Parade Band Championship, as well as winning an invitation to the Orange Bowl Festival. His jazz ensembles hosted and performed in concert with Maynard Ferguson and his band, Buddy Rich and his band, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band Orchestra and the legendary Stan Kenton Orchestra.

Heilman continued his teaching career in McFarland from 1987 to 2007. The McFarland High School Band program consistently had over 240 members out of a high school enrollment of less than 600 students. In 1995, the McFarland High School Band was selected as the US’s sole representative in the 50th Year Anniversary Parade celebrating the end of World War II in Moscow, Russia. This included a performance in the U.S. Embassy for President and Mrs. Clinton and a joint concert with the U.S. Air Force Band and The Russian Army Band in the Red Square. In 1997, the McFarland High School Percussion Ensemble was selected as one of only five percussion ensembles in the nation to participate in the Bands of America National Concert Band and Percussion Ensemble Festival.

Even in retirement, Heilman remains active as a performer and adjudicator throughout the US. He is the Assistant Director/Percussion Coordinator of The Wisconsin Ambassador’s of Music European Tour and a Past President of the UW School of Music Alumni Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of The Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps for the majority of the past 14 years. He is a past or current member of NAfME (formally MENC), WMEA, PHI BETA MU, PHI MU ALPHA, PAS, FMEA, FBA and NAJE.

Heilman has continually demonstrated commitment to WSMA programs throughout his lifetime. As a student, he was a member of the very first WSMA High School State Honors Orchestra in 1968, as well as the first State Honors Band in 1969. He continued to serve as a coach and coordinator with the State Honors Band, Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble for six years. He has been an active adjudicator for Concert, District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals since 1980 and served on the Festival Music List Selection Committee several times. Heilman’s passion and dedication have provided countless students with the opportunity to perform and have created positive musical experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime.

Rick Kirby has been integral to the excellence of Wisconsin marching band activities since his
arrival on the scene in 1974. A sought-after composer and arranger of marching music but also
teacher, director, and adjudicator, Kirby has nurtured and propelled the growth of Wisconsin
marching with his many contributions.

As a youth in his native New England, Kirby developed a love for marching and teaching. He
marched in Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s Golden Eagles Drum and Bugle Corps and served as
a student director of University of New Hampshire’s ROTC marching band before joining the
United States Army. He landed his first job as a high school band director in 1970. Kirby later
honed his ability as a music educator at the high school and collegiate levels in Wisconsin.
Kirby distinguished himself early on as a marching pioneer. In 1976, his Sussex Hamilton High
School band was the first to perform at the inaugural Bands of America (formerly Marching
Bands of America) contest. His New Berlin Eisenhower High School band performed at the first
WSMA State Marching Band Championships in 1984. When Waukesha West High School
opened its doors in 1993, Kirby became the school’s first band director and worked quickly to
establish its strong marching tradition. Under his leadership, the band won three AAAA titles at
WSMA State Marching Band Championships.

Due to Kirby’s entrepreneurial spirit and varied talents, his musical groups and audiences
benefited from 27 years of his own creative output and expertise. Kirby’s compositions and
arrangements were staples in each of his bands’ repertoire, adding a personal touch to their
performances. The Cadets of Waukesha West perform Kirby’s music with pride to this day;
crowds at each of the 35 and counting WSMA State Marching Band Championships have
applauded his music played by the Cadets and other bands.

Since his retirement from teaching in 2001, Kirby continues to compose and arrange music for
marching bands and other ensembles in Wisconsin and around the country. A gifted composer
of diverse music styles and for several performing group types, Kirby’s works have been
published by both major publishers and his own company, Spirit of the Music Publications.
Kirby received Wisconsin Music Educators Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 2002
and Phi Beta Mu – Pi Chapter’s Outstanding Band Director Award in 2007. Civic Music
Association of Milwaukee honored Kirby with a Lifetime Achievement in Music Award in 2018.

Described as a kind and humble professional who has kept student success his focus in the
music and on the field, Kirby has inspired students and teachers alike. In the classroom, he
encouraged students to ignore rankings and rivalries and work toward their personal best. A
fervent marching advocate, Kirby has also mentored band directors new to marching, lending a
hand where needed. In addition to his numerous achievements, Kirby’s shining character has
illuminated the promising future of Wisconsin marching and marked him among its leaders.

Tom Cook has played an integral part in marching activity in the state of Wisconsin for decades. His work as an educator, adjudicator and WSMA Marching Band committee member has impacted thousands of students and fostered the growth of the marching arts in Wisconsin.

Mr. Cook became involved in marching band activity in 1971 as a freshman at Rock Falls High School in Illinois. His older sister convinced him to join the championship Marching Rockets under the direction of Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association (MACBDA) hall of fame member Richard C. Davis. His love for band and music flourished and he hasn’t looked back. In 1974, Mr. Cook joined the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from La Crosse, Wisconsin and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to study music education and march with the UW-L Chiefs (now the Screaming Eagles).

Mr. Cook received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1979 and began his teaching career shortly after at Stockton, Illinois CUSD where he taught band. While there, he began the marching and jazz programs which finished several times in the top 10 of their class in IHSA Music Sweepstakes. In 1984, Mr. Cook continued his career as the high school band teacher in Prairie du Chien, WI. The Blackhawk Brigade High School marching band was formed under his direction, and soon after began participating in the MACBDA summer circuit and Wisconsin fall shows with a culminating performance at the 1985 WSMA State Marching Band Championships. Prairie du Chien High School was awarded back-to-back Class A Championships in 1987 and ’88.

He continued his career in 1990 at Fort Atkinson High School where his bands continued to see immediate success. Fort Atkinson High School proudly participated in WSMA activities placing 1st in the Class AA State Championships in 2003. The band finished in the top three in Class AA or AAA multiple times over 23 years of participation. The jazz program has been nationally recognized and has earned top status at UW-La Crosse, UW-Whitewater and UW-Eau Claire Jazz Festivals multiple times along with 21 straight Division I awards at WSMA State Festivals. The concert band also earned top awards and toured England in 2008 along with many performances at Walt Disney World over the years.

Mr. Cook received his master’s degree from VanderCook College of Music in 2001. In addition to marching and jazz band, Mr. Cook taught the high school concert band, pep band, music theory, orchestral winds, show choir combo and was the music department chair until his retirement in 2014. 

While at Fort Atkinson, Mr. Cook was nominated for the Herb Kohl Foundation Award and the Wildermuth Award. Previous awards include 1985 Prairie du Chien Teacher of the Year, February 2014 Rotary Educator of the Month and recognized as July 2014 Channel 3000 Top-Notch Teacher. WSMA and WMEA presented him with the Wisconsin Award for Excellence in Teaching Music in 2014. 

Mr. Cook is also a highly sought after marching band adjudicator through CSJA, MACBDA and WSMA and an honors band clinician for conference festivals in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. WSMA is privileged to have worked with Mr. Cook in multiple capacities through the WSMA State Marching Band Committee and the WSMA High School State Honors Music Project. As stated by a teaching colleague, “I’ve worked with many wonderful music educators in the past 30 years. None as fine as Tom Cook.”

Linda Petersen, WSMA Director of Programs from 1994 to 2007, was instrumental in the execution and development of WSMA programs, including the State Marching Band Championships. Her many contributions held the students’ experiences and education at the center and still impact WSMA programming today.

Petersen graduated from Racine Washington Park High School in 1973 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Music Education degree from UW-Eau Claire. She worked as an instrumental music editor for Kjos Music Company before taking a position as an auditor, editor and clinician for Hal Leonard from 1988 to 1994. She was the driving force behind Essential Elements, the most successful instrumental teaching series in Hal Leonard’s history. She also presented workshops to music teachers in 45 states, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia during her time at Hal Leonard.

Following her work with Hal Leonard, Petersen returned to Wisconsin to serve as the WSMA Director of Programs. Under her leadership and guidance, the State Honors Music Project, District and State Festivals, Student Composition Project and State Marching Band Championships saw a period of remarkable growth and advancement. Petersen was responsible for securing a consistent University of Wisconsin system host location for the state championships. She also worked with the committee to implement the first WSMA Marching Band Handbook which brought consistency to the independent show and the state championships, as well as developing the competition schedule format that is still in use today. In 2005, she commissioned an arrangement of “America the Beautiful” by fellow Hall of Fame inductee, Rick Kirby, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the State Championships.

Contributions to other WSMA programs include: initiating the High School State Honors Project Treble Choir, implementing the composer scholarship program for the Student Composition Program, creating the online Festival Music List, and serving as a founding member of the Middle Level State Honors Project committee. Petersen was also active in Music Educators National Conference, the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations and served on the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Board of Directors. Other honors include her  1996 induction into the Racine Washington Park High School Hall of Fame and the 2004 Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators. In 2007, the music library at the Wisconsin Center for Music Education was officially named the Linda A. Petersen Festival Music Library.

Petersen passed away in 2007 after a courageous 19-year battle with cancer. Her steadfast belief in the importance of music education allowed her to touch thousands of lives with her positive attitude, remarkable character and extraordinary grace.

LeRoy Lee has been a prominent advocate for the marching arts in Wisconsin for over 30 years. In that span, he established two of the most successful marching band programs in the state, positively influencing countless students, educators and community members along the way.

Under his direction, the River Falls High School Marching Band won the inaugural Class AA WSMA State Marching Band Championships in 1985; this began the incredible streak of 35 consecutive years of participation, the only band in the state to hold such a distinction. River Falls High School Marching Band would win an additional 10 championships in that span.

Lee’s marching experience began at Westby High School. Following graduation, he would continue his education at UW-Eau Claire. After completing his degree, Lee started teaching at the Prairie Farm School District in 1961, moving on to New Richmond High School two years later. While at New Richmond, Lee put together a parade band that would travel across Wisconsin and Minnesota winning several sweepstake circuits and championship parades. In 1976, the New Richmond High School Marching Band represented the state of Wisconsin in the Inauguration Parade of President Jimmy Carter. The band was also invited to perform at Arlington National Cemetery, one of only a few high school bands to ever do so.

In 1980, Lee began his tenure at River Falls High School. It was there that he rose to prominence as an outstanding field show designer. His cutting edge musical arrangements combined with an award-winning percussion section quickly defined the River Falls style that would lead them to success for over two decades. Under his leadership, the River Falls High School Marching Band performed at the Frontier Days in Wyoming, the Red Rock Theatre inColorado, the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota, and hundreds of local parades and festivals throughout the Midwest. Additionally, the band performed for the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, and on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Lee was a WSMA adjudicator for over 30 years and an enthusiastic supporter of WSMA programming. During his tenure, several River Falls students successfully participated in the WSMA State Honors Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Ensembles. Lee was an active member of Wisconsin Music Educators Association and Saint Croix Valley Music Association.

Described as thoughtful and gracious, Lee left a lasting legacy in the state of Wisconsin through his advocacy for students’ music education and commitment to the WSMA state marching band program. LeRoy Lee always gave credit to his students for the successes that came his way, including this honor of being named into the Marching Band Hall of Fame.