NBA NEWS
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n Friday August 6th, 2021, the music world lost former NBA President, Kenneth G. Bloomquist (19801982). Professor Bloomquist’s musical career began in Iowa as a young trumpet player. He attended the University of Illinois in 1953 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and later a Master of Music Education degree in 1957. In 1958, Professor Bloomquist joined the faculty at the University of Kansas as assistant director of bands and professor of trumpet. During his tenure at KU, he was appointed director of bands in 1968. In 1970, Professor Bloomquist became the director of bands at Michigan State University, where he directed the Spartan Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Band. At Michigan State, Bloomquist was promoted to the director of the School of Music in 1983 and continued as the director of bands until his retirement in 1993. These accomplishments alone are very notable and impressive, however, the work of Professor Bloomquist is much more significant. Known as a world renowned conductor and pedagog, Professor Bloomquist was equally known for his sincerity and genuine care for music and its counterparts. My hope for this article is Continued on next page
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NBA JOURNAL
