Kessler honored with Outstanding Bandmaster Award

Kevin Kessler, assistant professor of music education and director of athletic bands for South Dakota State University, was presented the 2024 South Dakota Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award. 

Kessler received the award before the evening concert of the 2024 South Dakota In-Service Music Conference held in Brookings on Feb. 9. He was nominated by his peers for this prestigious award. 

The nomination noted his long-term commitment to quality in his work as a band director. “Dr. Kessler is a very accomplished, passionate and professional band director. Not only have his bands been highly successful, but they have also been a wonderful source of pride for SDSU and the entire state of South Dakota,” the nomination from his peers reported. 

Ben Koch, president of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, said, “Dr. Kessler has been a boon to music teaching and music students in South Dakota for decades, first in his work at Brandon Valley High School and now in his position at SDSU. His expertise is second to none, and the quality of his bands over the years has been consistently excellent. Furthermore, he has been a great mentor to many of us currently teaching at various stages of our careers, a true servant leader in our field. I can think of no one better to be guiding the next generation of South Dakota music educators, and I am thrilled that he has been recognized by Phi Beta Mu with this award.” 

Phi Beta Mu is an international honorary fraternity for band directors and maintains an active chapter in the State of South Dakota.