BOB KUBAN BRASS TO PERFORM BENEFIT DANCE

The Bob Kuban Brass band will perform at a benefit dance Sept. 10 at Bavarian Halle north of Jackson.

Proceeds will help fund a scholarship established to honor longtime Puxico band director Harold Lichtenegger. The scholarship will benefit students pursing degrees in music education at Southeast Missouri State University.

Lichtenegger was partially paralyzed by a stroke in 1992. He is in rehabilitation, but his days as a band director are over.

Vicki "Litz" Abernathy is helping organize the dance and scholarship fund-raiser.

Abernathy said Lichtenegger was dedicated to marching bands. She fears that marching bands may be fading, and hopes the scholarship in his honor will help preserve the tradition.

Abernathy said the Bob Kuban Brass band should appeal to lots of people. Bob Kuban Brass had a Top 10 hit, "The Cheater," in the 1960s.

"Besides people who know Harold and love marching band, anyone from the '60s will have a wonderful time," she said.

Lichtenegger graduated in 1961 from Jackson High School, where he played trombone under the tutelage of Leroy Mason. Mason later directed the Southeast Missouri State University Golden Eagles Marching Band. Mason also convinced Lichtenegger to teach music.

For 25 years, until his stroke, Lichtenegger built a band program at Puxico High School.

Nick Leist is band director at Jackson High School and one of the organizers of the scholarship fund. Leist said, "Harold's dedication to his students and school produced one of the finest band programs in Missouri."

John Lichtenegger, one of his three brothers, said, "It's not so remarkable that Harold flourished with students and music -- it was his whole life."

The fact that Lichtenegger's career as a band director ended early has broken his heart, his brother said. "It's a very tough thing for him emotionally. His whole life was music, but most importantly instructing children in music."

At the same time he was teaching, Lichtenegger started a church and a rural fire department at Lake Wappapello. In addition, he drove a school bus, not only for the band but for the honor society, debate team and any other school organization that asked. He refereed basketball, volleyball and other sports.

Tickets for the dance are $20 each. They can be purchased at Blockbuster Video and Shivelbine's Music in Cape Girardeau, Supervideo in Jackson, Collins Music in Sikeston, KKLR in Poplar Bluff, or by calling 243-8463 or 243-0028.

Donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Southeast Missouri State University Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 350, Jackson, Mo. 63755-0350.