LeRoy Lee inducted in 2022 Hall of Fame

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls High School Marching Wildcats secured the 2022 Wisconsin School Music Association State Marching Band Champi – onship Class AAA state title Saturday, Oct. 15 at UW-Whitewater with their show "The Greatest City." This was the program's 24

th

state championship.

They also earned caption awards for Best Visual Performance, Best Musical Presentation, Best Color Guard and Best Percussion. The program is led by Bryan Jaeckel and Alex Plum. The city welcomed the Marching Wildcats home with a parade on Sunday, Oct. 16. LeRoy Lee

LeRoy Lee has been a prominent advocate for the marching arts in Wiscon- sin for more than 30 years. In that span, he established two of the most successful marching band programs in the state, positively influenc ing countless students, educators and community mem- bers along the way.

Under his direction, the River Falls High School Marching Band won the inaugural Class AA WSMA State Marching Band Cham- pionships in 1985; this began the incredible streak of 35 consecutive years of partici – pation, the only band in the state to hold such a distinc- tion. River Falls High School Marching Band would win an additional 10 champion –

ships in that span.

Lee's marching experi ence began at Westby High School. Following gradu ation, he continued his ed- ucation at UW-Eau Claire. After completing his degree, Lee started teaching at Prai- rie Farm School District in 1961, moving on to New Richmond High School two years later. While at New Richmond, Lee put together a parade band that traveled across Wisconsin and Minne- sota winning several sweep –

stake circuits and champi – onship parades. In 1976, the New Richmond High School Marching Band represented the state of Wisconsin in the Inauguration Parade of Presi- dent Jimmy Carter. The band was also invited to perform at Arlington National Ceme tery, one of only a few high school bands to ever do so.

In 1980, Lee began his tenure at River Falls High School. It was there that he rose to prominence as an out – standing field show designer. His cutting-edge musical arrangements combined with an award-winning percus – sion section quickly defined the River Falls style that would lead them to success for over two decades. Un – der his leadership, the River Falls High School Marching Band performed at Frontier Days in Wyoming, the Red Rock Theatre in Colorado, the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, Mount Rushmore National Monument in South Dakota, and hundreds of local parades and festivals throughout the Midwest. Additionally, the band performed for the Min –

nesota Vikings in Minneapo lis, and on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Lee was a WSMA ad- judicator for over 30 years and an enthusiastic support – er of WSMA programming. During his tenure, several River Falls students suc- cessfully participated in the WSMA State Honors Band, Orchestra, and Jazz En- sembles. Lee was an active member of Wisconsin Music Educators Association and Saint Croix Valley Music Association.

Described as thought ful and gracious, Lee left a lasting legacy in the state of Wisconsin through his advocacy for students’ music education and commitment to the WSMA state marching band program. Lee always gave credit to his students for the successes that came his way, including this honor of being named into the March- ing Band Hall of Fame.

Submitted by WSMA

The River Falls High School Marching Wildcats perform in Youth in Music at U.S. Bank Stadium one week prior to the state championship. Photo courtesy of RFHS Marching Wildcats

LeRoy Lee