University of Wisconsin Marching Band Director Michael
Leckrone has been awarded a lifetime achievement award in music, marking the
second time this award has ever been given.
The award, granted by the Wisconsin Foundation for School
Music, recognizes Wisconsin residents who have excelled in music education. It
has only been awarded previously to Waukesha native Les Paul, who invented the
first electric guitar and multi-track music recording systems.
“We didn’t want this one to be shallow, just another award —
we really felt like recipients really needed to be of that high standard to
receive it,” Wisconsin Foundation for School Music Director of Communications
Kevin Thays said. “It really speaks to so many of the achievements of his life
that we feel should be honored.”
Leckrone, who is in his 39th year directing the marching
band, said he is glad to be the second recipient of this award along with a
“giant in the music business,” adding this is “not the end of the road.”
“When you hear the words ‘lifetime achievement,’ it sounds
like you’re done, and I don’t really consider myself done,” Leckrone said. “I
feel like we have things we can do with the band and make improvements, and I
still have enough energy that I think I’m going to do it for a little bit
longer.”
UW senior Daniel Bauer, marching band assistant drum major,
said it is clear Leckrone has built quite the reputation at UW, and that
reputation is “nothing but respect.”
“It’s not very secretive — what you see is his obvious
dedication to what we’re doing and always determined to make us better, even
though we can sometimes be a little resistant to the idea,” Bauer said.
Leckrone said his success comes from setting higher
standards for the band each year , and he already has a plan for the UW
football game against Ohio State University this Saturday.
“The strategy is to give one of our ‘in-your-face’ kind of a
show, which I think is what we do best,” Leckrone said.
The award will be officially presented to Leckrone
Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Monona Terrace.
