Kyle Hopkins – 2026 Outstanding Bandmaster
The Kansas Bandmasters Association named Kyle Hopkins its 2026 Outstanding Bandmaster. Hopkins is professor of music, director of bands, and chair of the music department at McPherson College.
Since joining the McPherson College faculty in 2013, Hopkins has led the band program through a period of unprecedented growth and success. Today, McPherson College has one of the largest band programs in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. College ensembles have been selected to perform at the Kansas Music Educators Association State Convention five times in the past eight years. Most recently, the jazz band performed at the 2025 convention.
Hopkins holds degrees from the University of Kansas, Washburn University, and Kansas State University. Before returning to college to earn his first music degree, he was a disability examiner for the State of Kansas specializing in childhood disabilities. He later served as director of bands for McPherson Public Schools for 12 years before joining the McPherson College faculty.
In addition to being a sought-after clinician, conductor, and adjudicator, Hopkins performs as principal horn with the Salina Symphony, and as substitute horn the Wichita Grand Opera and Wichita Symphony.
He will receive the award during the Kansas Bandmasters Association annual convention, July 15-18, in Wichita.
The Kansas Bandmasters Association is the state’s leading professional organization for band directors. Its mission is to build better bands by providing educational opportunities, special programs, and recognition for band musicians, students, and directors throughout Kansas.