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The University of Illinois School of Music is proud to congratulate Prof. Barry Houser, Director of the Marching Illini and Associate Director of Bands, for receiving the Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity’s 2025 Distinguished Service to Music Medal for Marching Band Award! Instituted in 1963 to honor outstanding individual contributions to college bands, the Distinguished Service to Music Medal is the highest award presented by the fraternity.
Prof. Houser received the award in Marching Band for his leadership contributions to CBDNA, Collegiate Bands across the country, and his impact with the Marching Illini. He joins an illustrious group of past recipients, including names like Dr. Robert “Coach” Fleming, George N. Parks, and Dr. David Patrick Dunnigan, leaders who have shaped the landscape of college marching band. Arupa Gopal-Campbell, Kappa Kappa Psi’s National Vice President for Programs, stated that the recognition honors his “exceptional leadership, artistry, and impact on the band profession,” and that his “work and impact stands proudly alongside theirs, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.”
The award was presented on December 18, 2025 at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL.
