Burns High School band room named in honor of retired teacher Ken Peckham Arts and Entertainment News March 22, 2023March 22, 20230 Submitted photo Harney County School District No. 3’s new band director, Sam Ellibee, holding the sign that was placed in the Burns High School band room to recognize retired teacher Ken Peckham. Ellibee (left) surprises Ken Peckham (right) with a plaque while announcing that the Burns High School band room will be named in Peckham’s honor. (Photos by TERRI WATTS) During the Chamber Music Society’s spring concert on Sunday, March 19, Harney County School District No. 3’s new band director, Sam Ellibee, announced that the newly painted band room at Burns High School will now be known as the Ken Peckham Band Room. Ken Peckham and his wife, Debby, moved to Burns in 1975. Peckham — who was in the final stages of earning a bachelor’s degree in music education — was hired on the spot. He then completed his coursework, graduated from Boise State University, and moved to Harney County to begin molding young minds. Over the years, Peckham taught band at Slater Elementary, Hines Middle School, Lincoln Junior High School, and Burns (Union) High School. He also led the Burns High School (BHS) pep, marching, and concert bands and taught guitar and choir classes. During the financial crisis that took so many music programs in Oregon, Peckham was the last music teacher standing for the Burns/Hines school district. Before “officially” retiring in 2009, Peckham racked up a long list of accomplishments. He continued his education, earning a master’s degree from Oregon College of Education (Western Oregon University) in 1980. Ken Peckham (right) with his family. From L-R: grandson, Brendan Shriver; son-in-law, Matt Shriver; daughter, Mary (Peckham) Shriver; granddaughter, Addison Shriver; and wife, Debby Peckham. During Peckham’s tenure, the BHS Concert Band performed for the Central Oregon District Music Festival every year. Excellent performances at the district competition earned the BHS Concert band opportunities to perform for the OSAA State Music Championships. The BHS Concert Band performed at state eight years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, and 2008. Individual musicians from the BHS music program gained highest honors with first-place solos at OSAA state competition. Jake Loewen, tuba; Mary Peckham, flute; Katy Schnitker, alto saxophone; Kyle Ruggles, flute; John Caponetto, tuba/trombone; Andy Carlson, percussion; Natalie Grigg, soprano (voice); and Sam Ellibee, oboe, are among those performers. Additionally, the BHS Concert Band was selected to perform at the High School Band Festival, located at Western Oregon State College in Monmouth, in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999, under host Chairman Dr. Richard A. Sorenson. The band was also selected for the World of Music Festival, Great America in San Jose, Calif., performing in 1998 and 2003. Due to Peckham’s continued excellence, the BHS Band was chosen twice to perform in the National Festival of States. The first performance was May 11-14, 2000, for the Nation’s Capital Bicentennial Celebration. The band also performed for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary at the National Festival of States from April 19-23, 2006. At both performances, a selected color guard from the BHS Concert Band, in full dress uniform, placed a wreath designating Burns High School at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This memory will last a lifetime. Peckham continues helping music students with solo auditions, ensembles, and college prep. He is a founding member of the Harney County Arts and Education Foundation and currently serves as the treasurer. Peckham also conducts the Harney County Chamber Orchestra. This year, he conducted one of his largest groups, consisting of 42 musicians. Please join Harney County School District No. 3 in recognizing and celebrating Peckham’s legacy and thanking him for his outstanding contributions to music education in Harney County!