Alumni Relations

MSU College of Music Alumni Board Members

Michael Kaufman

BM, 1976; MM, 1982

Michael Kaufman is completing his 31st year of teaching, presently in his 26th year as Director of Bands at Grand Ledge High School.  Mr. Kaufman was the Director of Bands at Stockbridge High School and Middle School, Stockbridge, Michigan, from 1976 until 1981.  He received the Bachelor of Music Degree with honors from Michigan State University in 1976 and the Master of Music Degree from the same institution in 1982.

Active in professional music organizations, Mr. Kaufman has served in various offices of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the National Band Association.  Memberships include: the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the National Band Association, the American School Band Director's Association, the College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association.  He adjudicates MSBOA sponsored Band and Orchestra Festivals, and Solo and Ensemble Festivals. He is active as a guest clinician, conductor and adjudicator throughout the Midwestern United States and is currently a member of the board of directors for the National Band Association.

Mr. Kaufman was elected MSBOA "Teacher of the Year" in 1987, awarded the NBA Citation of Excellence in 1986 and again in 2000; the ASBDA Stanbury Award in 1983, and the Sudler Flag of Honor in l986. He was elected to membership in the American Bandmaster's Association in 1997.

Several guest artists of international stature have appeared with the Grand Ledge Bands upon invitation from Mr. Kaufman. These include such distinguished composers, conductors, and performers as Karel Husa, Warren Benson, H. Owen Reed, David Maslanka, Leslie Bassett, Ross Lee Finney, Samuel Adler, Frank Ticheli, David Gillingham, Daniel McCarthy, H. Robert Reynolds, Frederick Fennell, Leonard Falcone, Dr. Harry Begian, Eugene Corporon, Claude T. Smith, Kenneth Bloomquist, John Whitwell, Ray Cramer, Frank Ell, Charles Vernon, Dr. Douglas Campbell, James Forger, Dr. Daniel Stolper, Philip Sinder, Richard Illman, Joseph Lulloff, and Curtis Olson. Under the direction of Mr. Kaufman, the Grand Ledge Bands are recognized as outstanding performing ensembles. The Wind Symphony performed at the Midwest Clinic twice, the College Band Directors National Association Midwestern Regional Convention twice, the National Band Association Biannual Convention, the Mid-Western Conference on Instrumental and Vocal Music four times, and the Western Michigan University Conference on Wind and Percussion Music three times.  Mr. Kaufman is currently on the faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp.  As music director of the Wind Studies program and All State, he oversees and conducts the World Youth Wind Symphony, Interlochen Symphony Band, Intermediate Wind Symphony and Junior Band.