RPMDA Remembers Our Friend  Neil A. Kjos, Jr.  April 23, 1931 - November 23, 2009   Neil A. Kjos, Jr. was born in Chicago on April 23, 1931, the son of Neil A. Kjos, Sr. and Helen Matson Kjos. His father, Neil Sr., was then assistant band director to A. Austin Harding at the University of Illinois, so music was in his blood. When he was five, his father founded the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, a music publishing and print distribution business, in a single room leased from Lyons Band Instrument Company in Chicago.   Neil A. Kjos, Jr. acquired his early musical training in a typically American public school format - junior high school beginning band in Park Ridge, Illinois, followed by high school band, orchestra and chorus at Main East High School in Park Ridge. Neil worked in the family business during summers and holidays throughout his student years.   He was the first of the third generation of the Kjos family to attend St. Olaf College, where he was a two-year member of the world renowned St. Olaf Choir, directed by Olaf Christiansen, his uncle by marriage. He was also elected conductor of the St. Olaf Viking Male Chorus.   Upon graduating from St. Olaf in 1953, Neil enlisted in the United States Air Force and spent two years in pilot's training. He eventually chose to be assigned to play trumpet with the Air Force Band at Parks Air Force Base near San Francisco in 1955.   Following two years of full time work at the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, he decided to continue his education. He earned a piano pedagogy degree from Columbia Teacher's College studying with Dr. Robert Pace and Dr. Norvell Church. While there he met a talented young student named Jane Smisor (later Bastien), whom he predicted would one day write a piano method, and he would publish it.   He returned to the family business full time and, as many second generations do, brought new ideas and energy to the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. He launched a piano catalog that culminated in the best-selling "Bastien Piano Basics," the world's first four-color piano method that introduced millions of students to the joys of learning piano. Under his direction and leadership the company released award-winning methods and publications that included the "Standard of Excellence" band method and "All for Strings" method for string orchestra.   Having spent much of his life traveling abroad, Neil took a special interest in international business. He was one of the first American music publishers to encourage dialogue among music educators in different countries, resulting in greater understanding and collaboration across national boundaries. Currently the publications of the Neil A. Kjos Music Company are available in more than 16 languages. Neil retired from the company in 1998.   He was a tireless supporter of music education and the arts. He served on the Midwest Clinic board of directors (co-founded by his father) from 1968-1998, and received its "Music Industry Award" in 1994. He was an honorary associate member of the American Bandmasters Association, and generously supported arts organizations in his hometown of San Diego, including the San Diego Symphony, the San Diego Opera, the Old Globe Theater and La Jolla Playhouse, among others. Neil passed away on November 23rd after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Mark and Tim, daughters-in-law Kelly and Elise, and grandchildren Annika, Patrik, Ethan and Finn.   RPMDA joins the entire industry in remembering a true giant of our print music family. We will miss his exuberant personality, his great sense of humor and zest for life. To view a video clip of Neil's NAMM Oral History Project interview, go tohttp://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/neil-kjos-jr. There will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests friends make donations to their favorite charity. RPMDA members may wish to remember Neil with a tax deductible donation to the RPMDA/Ed Adams Scholarship Fund, 14070 Proton Rd. Suite 100, LB 9, Dallas, Texas 75244.