Outstanding Service in Arts Education

John F. Colson, Brookings

Professor emeritus of music at South Dakota State University, John F. Colson has also been the conductor and music director of the South Dakota State University-Civic Symphony Orchestra for 34 years. At South Dakota State University he taught conducting, trumpet and French horn for 37 years, influencing generations of music educators and performers.

For 34 years, Colson adjudicated the South Dakota All-State Orchestra wind and string auditions and founded, directed and taught at the All-State Music Camp in Brookings and Rushmore Junior High Music Camp near Rapid City. A high brass teacher for more than 50 years, Colson is the author of two brass books, Braces & Brass and Rhythm & Pulse: Reading Music for the Trumpet and French Horn Player.

In addition to being program coordinator for the Brookings Chamber Music Society, bringing in hundreds of guest artists from around the world, Colson was the founder and director of the Contemporary American Music Festival at South Dakota State University. He has also served on the Board of Directors and the Artistic Committee for the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Colson’s biography has appeared in the International Who’s Who in Music, the Dictionary of International Biography, Personalities of America, Who’s Who among America’s Teachers and Trumpet Greats. He also received the prestigious Outstanding Music Educator Award in South Dakota from the National Federation Interscholastic Music Association for the year 2001.

Colson continues to be active as a teacher, mentor and author in his retirement. His two most recent publications include Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble: Scenarios, Priorities, Strategies, and Repertoire and Rehearsing: Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor.