Randolph Kummer

Randolph F. Kummer, recently retired after 15 years as Executive Director of the Illinois Music Educators Association, spent the first 30 years of his career as Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Lincoln-Way Community High School in Illinois where he also taught chorus, class piano lab, and a composite music history/theory Advanced Placement course. Membership in the school bands more than tripled under his leadership, and their reputation for excellence led to their participation in such events as The Fiesta Bowl, The Pasadena Tournament of Roses, The Orange Bowl Parade and the ASBDA National Convention.

As a 40+ year member of MENC-IMEA, Randy has served as District I Band Chair, District I Band Division Representative, District I President and IMEA State President. He has supervised student teachers for Western Illinois University, and served on many North Central Association evaluation teams. As a constant voice for music and fine arts advocacy, Randy was influential in the establishment of the Illinois Coalition for Music Education and served as the IMEA representative on boards of the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education and Arts Alliance Illinois.

In recognition of his contributions to music education, Randy was named Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator, Illinois Bandmaster of the Year in 1994, and was elected to the Illinois Bandmaster “Hall of Fame” in 1995. He was inducted into the Joliet/Will County “Hall of Pride” for his service to youth and the community and was presented with the John P. Paynter Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. IMEA recognized his service and leadership with the 2003 Distinguished Service Award and the Association’s highest honor, the Presidential Award, in 2010.

Earning his Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern University and Master of Music in theory and composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Randy is himself a versatile musician, performing on oboe, piano, and as a singer.