Rhodes served as KPB Music Director for 24 years.

Steve Rhodes served as the Music Director of the Kokomo Park Band from 1989 until March of this year.   Before stepping up to the podium, he served in the band as a trombone and euphonium player and was actively involved in the incorporation of the organization.   His function in the band went well beyond what was seen by the public.   Not only did Steve carefully plan each program, but he also custom arranged hundreds of selections to render them more effective for the audience and more suitable to the size, instrumentation, and specific players in the KPB.   He also helped to line up guest artists and to recruit musicians who traveled up to 90 miles to play under his baton.  Steve was highly respected and in great demand as a musician, arranger and band leader throughout Indiana and beyond.   More importantly, he was a personal friend and mentor to the majority of those performing on the Highland Park Stage this summer.   While providing challenging material for the musicians, Mr. Rhodes was always devoted to pleasing the audience who were like family to him.   It was largely through his efforts that KPB concerts progressed from moderately attended  local events to popular regional attractions with audiences typically exceeding 1000 people.  This summer, our entire Concert Season of 2014 is dedicated to the memory of “The Maestro” Steve Rhodes, to whom we as a band and as a community are strongly indebted and deeply grateful.