KMEA lost another legend this fall. Lyle Dilley, long-time director of bands and instructor of low brass at Fort Hays State University, recently passed away in Hays, Kansas. Dilley graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wichita State University and began his career in Belle Plain. From there, he moved to Wellington and taught another ten years, earning first division ratings in each of his years there. While in the Wichita area, he also served as the bass trombonist in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Lyle accepted the position of Director of Bands and instructor of Low Brass at Fort Hays State University in 1961. Under his direction, the Tiger band grew from approximately 50 members to a band of 150 by 1970. He was also responsible for the High Plains Music Camp and a number of other music programs for musicians in Hays and throughout Kansas. Mr. Dilley retired in 1989 and was elected into the KMEA Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2015, he received the FHSU Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his work in advancing music education across the nation.
