A Special Award of
The John Philip Sousa Foundation
Paul Kile is the director of bands at Edina High School in Edina, Minnesota. He has held this position for the last 20 years of his 31 total years in teaching.
Mr. Kile maintains professional affiliations with Phi Beta Mu, Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA), American School Band Director Association (ASBDA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE).
Under the direction of Paul Kile, the Edina High School Concert Band has received a SUPERIOR rating at the ‘Minnesota State High School League Large Group Contest’ for all 20 years he has been the Director of Bands at Edina High School.
Paul is active in many positions outside of Edina HS. He is a Music Listening Contest Board Member, Band Representative on the Servant Leadership for Music (SLAM) national board, Minnesota State Chair for the National Band Association, Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Symphonic Winds, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies Teacher Advisory Council Member, and an inducted member of Phi Beta Mu Music Fraternity.
- 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.
Paul received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and his Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota.
When asked what factors do you consider most important in shaping your career, Paul states, “A passion for music, a love for students and an ethos of constant self improvement have served as cornerstones in my career. My passion for music fuels my desire to be an avid consumer and producer of music and I find continual joy in playing my instrument, conducting and staying curious about new music. A love for students and sharing with young people has led me to the belief that we are in the music business and the people business and that creating a culture of excellence is done through fostering caring relationships with my students. My commitment to being a lifelong learner continually opens new worlds to me in sessions and clinics I attend, books I read and people I meet. These factors in tandem continue to shape and propel me as a learner, person and more importantly as a teacher.“
His professional philosophy statement is, “I endeavor, every day, to provide engaging musical experiences for my students because I want them to think (and feel) deeply about not only the technical aspects of music, but also the more abstract aspects of music making. I believe music makes well-rounded and sensitive students and encourages the formation of depth in their personality, as music and music making are nourishment for the soul. I’ve come to believe we are in the music business AND the people business and students need a teacher who champions their success and works to help them become the best versions of themselves possible. I also believe that in every person there lies a seed of brilliance and that our primary focus as educators should be to create the environmental, leadership, and cultural conditions that allow these seeds to flourish. By giving students the tools and energy to express themselves and make creative decisions in their own music-making I aspire to help them develop as a whole person.“
