A Special Award of
The John Philip Sousa Foundation
Jeff Behrens is the Director of Bands at Richland Center High School in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He has held this position for 18 out of his 37 years of teaching. Jeff serves as the Symphonic Band Director, Concert Band Director, Marching Band Director, Pep Band Director, Solo and Ensemble Coordinator, Youth For Change Advisor, and a Mentor Teacher.
The Richland Center High School Band has been selected to play at the Wisconsin State Education Convention and received the Department of Public InStruction and Wisconsin Governor invitations to perform at our State Capitol.
Since 2014, Jeff’s concert band and symphonic band have received Superior ratings every year (except COVID years) at their state Large Group Festivals.
Jeff has served as Chairman of the Festivals Committee for the Wisconsin School Music Association, Percussion Coordinator for the State High School Honors Band, Percussion Coordinator for the State High school Honors Orchestra, and Percussion Coordinator for the Middle Level Honors Orchestra. He has also been selected as a Kohl Fellowship Teacher.
- 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.
When asked what factors do you consider most important in shaping your career, Jeff states, “Working with students would be one of the most important factors in shaping my career. Seeing their individual and collective growth has served as a motivator for me. It brings incredible joy to see students succeed and feel personal satisfaction through that growth. The fear of failure has been huge in shaping my career. It has allowed for me to prepare to avoid problems in lessons, rehearsals and performances. I know that there will be failure, but my preparation minimizes those setbacks.”
His professional philosophy statement is, “I want every student to succeed and find a place that they can create and express themselves through music, while having fun throughout the process. I realize that not all students will want to be professional musicians. I want to develop young adults into productive members of society. I use music as a medium to achieve this goal.”
