Edgeton to receive 2025-26 Karl King Distinguished Service Award

The Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association (SEIBA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025-26 Karl King Distinguished Service Awards, honoring outstanding members of SEIBA who have made significant and lasting contributions to the organization and to the advancement of school band programs across Southeast Iowa.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award is presented in two categories — Active and Retired — and recognizes exemplary leadership, service, and dedication to music education.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Active) will be presented to Kevin Brown. Mr. Brown is the Director of Bands at Northwest Junior High in the Iowa City Community School District and is in his 27th year of teaching, including 16 years at Northwest. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education with a jazz emphasis from the University of Northern Iowa. Previously, he taught at CAL/Dows High School and Price Laboratory School/NUHS, where band programs flourished under his leadership.

Ensembles under Brown’s direction have earned unanimous Division I ratings, with jazz groups frequently placing in the top five at the Iowa Jazz Championships. He has conducted six ensembles at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference and has been recognized as one of IMEA’s 13 Outstanding Educators in Iowa, along with two R.J. McElroy Gold Star Teacher nominations. Brown is an active clinician, adjudicator, honor band conductor, and performing trombonist. He lives in North Liberty with his wife, Erin.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Retired) will be presented to Jim Edgeton. Mr. Edgeton taught instrumental music for 41 years, beginning as the 5—12 band director in Goldfield, Iowa. After earning a master’s degree in music education from Southern Methodist University, he taught for 11 years in the Dallas Independent School District before returning to his hometown of Fairfield, where he served as Director of Bands at Fairfield High School for 29 years. He retired in 2021 and has since continued supporting Iowa band programs through interim teaching roles.

Beyond the classroom, Edgeton has directed the Fairfield Municipal Band for 32 years, the Fairfield Jazz Band for 14 years, serves as musical director for the Fairfield Area Community Theater, directs the Van Buren Players orchestra, and leads church choir programs. An active IBA member, mentor, clinician, and adjudicator, his honors include SEIBA’s Karl King Distinguished Service Award (Active), the Governor’s Volunteer Award, Fairfield Teacher of the Year, National Board Certification, and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. He and his wife, LeAnne, live in Fairfield.

SEIBA congratulates both recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thanks them for their continued commitment to enriching music education and supporting band programs throughout Iowa.

The Karl King Distinguished Service Awards will be formally presented at the Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band Concert on Jan. 24, 2026 in Iowa City.