Ralph J. Houghton Memorial Music Award Supports 14 Bradford Percussion Students
Through the generous support of the Ralph J. Houghton Memorial Music Award, fourteen Bradford percussion students were able to receive private lessons from November 2024 - May 2025. Eliana Alcocer (Bradford Class of 2014) has supported the Bradford band program by tutoring percussion students two class periods per week. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from UW-Parkside and her Master of Music in Percussion Performance from UW-Milwaukee. Bradford band director Karl Mueller and the Education Foundation of Kenosha are greatly appreciative of Ms. Alcocer’s contributions to these students’ music education.
Ralph J. Houghton Memorial Music Award
This award is not currently accepting applicants. Please check back in Fall 2025.
PURPOSE
In cooperation with the Education Foundation of Kenosha, James O. Froseth (former student of Ralph J. Houghton, former Director of the Mary D. Bradford Bands (1960-1965), and Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance) is sponsoring a $1,000 yearly grant to defray the cost of tuition for Mary D. Bradford High School band students selected to participate in a Wisconsin Honors Band (Concert or Jazz) and/or for one or more students selected by the band director to receive private instrumental music lessons.
Ralph J. Houghton was appointed Director of Music for the Kenosha Unified Schools in 1956. He also served as Director of the Mary D. Bradford High School Band from 1956 to 1960. He was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Kenosha Unified Schools in 1979. He retired in 1987. During his tenure as Director of Music Mr. Houghton built exemplary music programs in Kenosha that became a model for public schools throughout the country. His name is synonymous with music in Kenosha.
ELIGIBILITY
Students must be enrolled in a Mary D. Bradford High School band.
FINANCIAL DATA
Annually, the Education Foundation of Kenosha will issue Ralph J. Houghton Memorial Music Awards totaling up to $1,000 to pay the tuition for Mary D. Bradford band members selected to perform in a Wisconsin Honors Band (Concert or Jazz) and/or pay the fees for private instrumental music lessons for one or more students chosen by the Bradford band director. Fees will be paid by the Education Foundation to private music teachers named by the Bradford band director. (Fees will be negotiated by the Bradford band director.)