A special award of
The John Philip Sousa
Foundation
Mr. Christiansen has been sharing his passion for music and teaching for 40 years. During this time, he has taught music from 4th grade through college level. His groups have won some of the most prestigious band festivals such as the Reno International Jazz Festival and the Fullerton College Jazz Festival. His bands and combos have been invited to perform at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. His jazz combo has won the Outstanding High School Jazz Combo award in Downbeat Magazine. His marching bands have also won numerous awards and have performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on two occasions with two different bands. His concert ensembles have received numerous Unanimous Superior ratings. He has taught at the college level in the areas of jazz ensemble and music education. Many of his former students have become performers and teachers.
The Bandworld Legion of Honor was established in 1989 to honor, over the course of a year, eight of the finest band directors in our business.
Recipients have taught for at least fifteen years, have maintained a very high-quality concert band program, and have contributed significantly to the profession through dedication to bands and band music.
Each is honored at the annual Sousa Foundation awards ceremony during the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
Chairman of the Legion of Honor Committee is Terry Austin, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mr. Christiansen was selected as the Band Director of the Year by the Northern California Band Association on two separate occasions. He was selected as the Merced County Teacher of the Year and Rotary’s Educator of the Year. He has conducted the Stanislaus County Junior High School Honor Band, the Stanislaus County High School Honor Jazz Ensemble, the Merced County Junior High Honor Band, and the Fresno County Honor Junior High Jazz Ensemble. He was also the conductor of the Northern California Band Association Junior High Honor Band.
Mr. Christiansen received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of the Pacific and Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California. He also received a Performer’s Certificate from the Grove School of Music. He has been an active member of the Northern California Band Association, the California Band Directors Association, and California Music Educators Association. He is also a member of the honorary fraternity Pi Kappa Lambda.
