Austin High School gets OK for Music Hall of Fame

Austin High School will have a Music Hall of Fame.

Ken Jensen's request to establish the hall of fame was approve unanimously Monday by the Austin School Board.

One person will be inducted into the hall from each decade, beginning in the 1930s. The first group will be inducted next year during the Big Nine Music Festival.

"We would like your blessing and approval," said Jensen who taught music in Austin for 35 years. He said he's already found at least 70 graduates who fit the criteria.

"You have my blessing, for what it's worth," said board member Richard Lees.

The idea also received the board's blessing with a unanimous vote.

Jensen said the idea for a glass casing featuring pictures of AHS graduates who have chosen music as their profession or those who have made an outstanding contribution to the high school in the field of music has been floating around for almost 10 years.

Previously, he said, "I thought it was time to actually do something with the idea."

Jensen told the Austin P-B last week that alumni are "all over the world, in Australia and Europe. We have so many people that have contributed to the cultural life of Austin through music and they deserve to be recognized."

Austin Music Hall of Fame criteria

• The person must be an Austin High School graduate.

• Must make a living, or made a living, in the field of music.

• Graduated at least 10 or more years before induction.

• Could be elected if person did outstanding work in the community for music but didn't have music as the main source of income.



Source: postbulletin.com