De Soto High School - Desotonian Yearbook (De Soto, MO)

Page 152 text:

0 B ron unson Mr. Munson was born in a very small town called Union Star near King City, Missouri Music has always been a part of his life for his mother was also a musician. He began playing the piano at such a young age that he cannot remember when he first learned. Mr. Mlmson taught himself to play his first band instrument in the town band in King City. This town band included many adults, some sixty years old or older. He graduated from high school in King City, Missouri, in 1930 and went on to col- lege. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Park College in Parkville, Missouri, in 1935. At that time he gave some thought to going on to law school, but he began a long successful career as a music teacher instead. After spending one year teaching at Breckenridge, Missouri, he spent the next four years teaching at Memphis, Missouri. One year while at Memphis after his band re-. ceived a top rating at the state contest they participated in the national festival at Kansas City where they received a superior rating. Mr. Munson spent the next four years at Odebolt, Iowa. The Odebolt board of educa- tion granted Mr. Munson a leave of absence so he could enlist and serve in the United States Navy. During two years of Navy service he taught other sailors fundamental subjects. After discharge from the Navy he came to De Soto where he has spent thirty years teaching. For many years Mr. Munson taught both the vocal and instrumental music in the high school as well as directing bands fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Early in his teaching career Mr. Munson taught social studies but he has spent most of his time teaching music. While teaching in Iowa he wrote an editorial for the school newspaper in which he stated his idea of the importance of music. To live success- fully is to appreciate everything in the world around us. Music, as one of the arts, perhaps adds as much to the enjoyment of living as any one single thing could. .

Page 151 text:

, 1 ig Nav: 'mar H 1, Q a 1 f f X Q MJ,- x ' s E n.. . f : ,if ,zip 'X xf 5 1 1322 1 ,al if 17

Page 153 text:

I 3 I I I I I I I I 1 v I I I I I I 1 I 1 I I r I I I n I I I I I I I I 1 149