Decorah's Tom Haugen receives national music award

Decorah resident Tom Haugen is being honored by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Haugen is a supervisor of music education student teachers for Luther College.  Prior to his position at Luther he was a high school band director for 38 years in Minnesota and Iowa, including at Cresco and Charles City.

His concert and jazz bands received Division 1 ratings in all state, regional, and national contests from 1963-1998.  His bands also made six appearances at the IBA and MMEA conventions in Iowa and Minnesota.

Individual honors include being selected as the 1983 recipient of the Carlo Spirati award given by Luther College for service in the field of instrumental music, being the North Central nominee for the Karl King award, directing the 1973, 2009, and 2010 Dorian Summer Camp Bands, and being selected to direct the 1987 University of Iowa All-State Camp Band in 1987.  Tom has also served as an All-State judge in Minnesota for 12 years.

The National Federation of State High School Associations annually presents awards to persons who have distinguished themselves for exemplary service to the high school music programs of this country.  Haugen was selected from all nominees in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.