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WMEA Award Presentation To Bill Klouse

In recognition of his outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to education and the community, the Mountain Region would like to honor Bill Klouse as our 2024 Friend of Music.

William (Bill) Klouse has served, and continues to serve, the music education profession in the state of Washington for over 40 years.  Beyond his renowned work in the classroom, Bill has organized Tuba Christmases in the South Sound for 30 years, served as the WMEA Connections Coordinator for over 10 years, and served as the WCD III President, which included supervising contests from Port Angeles to Enumclaw.  Post-retirement, Bill continues to mentor and coach young music educators and consistently models what it means to lead with grace, empathy, and class.  He has volunteered to guest-teach for extended leaves.  He has repaired instruments for school programs with limited or non-existent budgets.  He was instrumental, pun completely intended,  in the creation and implementation of the Tacoma Concert Band’s Conducting Fellowship, and he leads the New Horizons community band, thereby demonstrating his dedication to music education beyond K-12.

 Whether you need a mentor, a colleague, or a genuine friend, Bill is the one to call. He has a true heart for our profession, and a true heart for students, and a true heart for music educators.  Bill himself said that , “all he ever wanted was to give people love , life and maybe a change of their lives.”  I speak from personal experience ,as well as collected evidence from educators across our region and state, when I tell you–colleagues, and you–Bill, that your selfless contributions have left a permanent mark on the educational and musical landscape. You are a true beacon of inspiration and a well-deserving recipient of this award.