Biographies

Ben Hawkins

Ben Hawkins is Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Ensembles at Transylvania University, where he has taught since 1985. At Transylvania, he conducts the Concert Band and Chamber Orchestra, and teaches courses in conducting, music theory and music education. Prior to coming to Kentucky, he taught middle and high school band in public schools in Texas and Virginia. He has been a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States, in Australia and in Mexico. Dr. Hawkins and his wife, Cyndee, have two adult sons, Jay and Turner.

Les Anderson

Leslie S. Anderson was Director of Bands at Lafayette from June of 1967 until June of 1973. A Lafayette graduate, he was drum major along with Bob Grissom in the class of 1963 when Lafayette was on double sessions and the band half-time show featured the band entering from both end zones at the same time. Mr. Anderson graduated from the University of Louisville in January of 1967 and returned to Lafayette as Mr. Hall’s assistant. During Mr. Anderson’s tenure at Lafayette the fife corps as part of the Grenadier Band and the Jazz band dances were begun and the band continued annual spring trips with competitions in concert, jazz, and marching bands from Virginia Beach, Va. to Orlando Florida to Rock Falls, Illinois. Mr. Anderson started the sound off __”Where are you from?” “Lafayette Band, Pride of the Bluegrass, Sir”. Mr. Anderson’s also met and married his wife Cathy in 1970 while at Lafayette. His fondest memories are of the people who were a part of the Lafayette Band; the singing the band did; and the accomplishments of band members since their graduation from Lafayette.

Mr. Anderson left teaching for one year and ventured into the business world. He couldn’t stand being out of teaching and returned as Band Director at Tates Creek High School from 1974 until 1986. During that time he developed them into “Kentucky’s Musical Ambassadors” with the flag corp dressed in authentic thoroughbred horse racing jockey silks. As State Band Chairman in the KMEA, he developed and began the concept of two all-state concert bands. He then taught for four years in elementary school while he worked his way into school administration. From 1991 to 1998 he was the Principal at Russell Elementary School where he and his staff developed an inner city school into a magnet school, entitled M.I.A.M.I. (Magnet for Integrated Arts through the Multiple Intelligences), built heavily around the use of all the arts. This school has been recognized by Harvard University and through an Association of Curriculum Development book as one of three elementary exemplary schools in the country for their use of the Multiple Intelligences. Since “retirement” after 31.5 years in the Fayette County Public Schools Mr. Anderson has been working half time as a Professional Staffing Assistant/Best Practices Coach currently at Julius Marks Elementary; is a part-time Clinical Practice Supervisor for students teachers from Asbury College; sings with the Lexington Singers and is the President of that organization; and is the assistant conductor of the Central Kentucky Concert Band.