NFHS MUSIC ASSOCIATION “OUTSTANDING MUSIC EDUCATOR AWARD”
Robert (Bob)
Carlson, Sioux Falls In his 37 years as a high school music
educator, Robert Carlson has established programs that are
recognized nationwide. After receiving his bachelor of music
education degree from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1969,
Carlson began his career at Parkston High School, where his
band was named Outstanding Marching Band at the Bicentennial
International Youth Band Festival in 1977. He earned his
Master’s of Music Education degree that same year from the
University of South Dakota.
After nine years at Parkston, Carlson moved to Pipestone
(Minnesota) High School where he taught and was department
chair for 21 years. Pipestone’s marching band performed
under Carlson’s direction at four Minnesota Vikings games,
one Green Bay Packers game, the 1988 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade and the 1994 Tournament of Roses Parade. During this
time, Pipestone had more students in All-State Band and
Orchestra than any other school in the state of Minnesota.
Carlson was awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Sudler
Award in 1998 at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago.
In 1999, Carlson returned to South Dakota to teach at
Sioux Falls Lincoln where he is currently the Director of
Bands. He has led the Lincoln marching band to the 2000
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the 2005 Tournament of
Roses Parade.
For the past 27 years his Pipestone and Lincoln High
School symphonic bands have received consistent “Superior”
ratings at Large Group Contest playing Grade V and VI music.
His students have received 80% superior ratings at solo and
ensemble contest. The Lincoln High School band has averaged
25 students in the All-State Band for the past six years.
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