Mark H. Hindsley Endowed Fund for Symphonic Band
(est. 1995) Born in 1905 on a farm near Union City, Indiana, Mark Hindsley began playing the trumpet at the age of 10. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in Indiana University in 1921 on a scholarship as a chemistry major. However, he continued to pursue his love of music, playing trumpet in the university orchestra and cornet in the band, and became the student assistant band director his senior year.
In 1925, Dr. Hindsley graduated with high distinction and accepted the position of band director and instructor in music at IU, earning the degree of Master of Arts in music in 1927. In 1934, he accepted the position of Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, which included conducting the First Regimental Band and directing the Marching Illini. In 1942, Dr. Hindsley received a commission as staff music officer of the Army Air Forces Training Command. For three years he supervised over 150 bands, and in 1945 was assigned to the Biarritz American University in France. Upon his release from active duty in 1946 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Dr. Hindsley resumed his duties at the University of Illinois and was appointed Director of Bands in 1948, where he served until his retirement in 1970.
A past president of both the College Band Directors National Associa tion (1947) and the American Bandmasters Association (1957-58), Dr. Hindsley has appeared throughout the world as guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and on the summer staffs of many universities. Since his retirement, Dr. Hindsley has continued his highly acclaimed transcriptions of historical masterpieces. In 1982 he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Conductors.
Each year, the Jacobs School is proud to award the Mark H. Hindsley Award for Symphonic Band to a graduate or undergraduate student who has made outstanding contributions to the Department of Bands.