Neil A. Kjos Jr.

Neil A. Kjos, Jr. took over the music publishing company that his father, Neil A. Kjos, Sr. had formed in 1936.  He began by developing and adding the best-selling Bastien Piano publications to a catalog that had previously focused exclusively on instrumental and choral publications.  Development of the popular Bastien pedagogy culminated with the release of the Bastien Piano Basics in 1985, the world's first ever 4-color piano method that is used by millions of students and teachers worldwide.  Under his direction the company became one of the most trusted names in music education with the release of numerous award winning methods and publications including the Standard of Excellence band method and All for Strings method for string orchestra, among a plethora of other popular music teaching materials.  He was one of the first U.S. publishers to expand international outreach, and his publications today are available in more than 16 languages worldwide.  He was also instrumental in fostering a greater dialog between teachers and directors worldwide through extensive workshopping internationally, and by introducing foreign band directors to the Midwest Clinic and ABA .  Neil retired in 1997, and the company is now run by his sons Mark and Tim Kjos.