Michael Leckrone “On, Wisconsin” Musical Bobblehead Unveiled

Michael Leckrone “On, Wisconsin” Musical Bobblehead Unveiled

Limited Edition bobblehead featuring UW Band Director are now available exclusively from the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.

MILWAUKEE, Wi., January 11, 2019 – – Today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited edition bobblehead featuring University of Wisconsin Marching Band Director Michael Leckrone. The bobbleheads, which play “On, Wisconsin”, are individually numbered to only 2,019. Five dollars from every bobblehead sold is being donated to the University of Wisconsin Marching Band.

The bobbleheads, which just arrived and ship now, are $25 each plus a flat rate of $8 shipping charge. This marks the second bobblehead for Leckrone, whose previous bobblehead, which was released in 2003, sold out.

Michael Leckrone is the Director of the Marching Band and Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin and is currently in his 50^th year leading The Badger Band. In August, Leckrone announced to the band that he would be stepping down at the end of the 2018-19 academic year. A native of Indiana, Mr. Leckrone received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Butler University in Indianapolis and continued his studies at the doctoral level at Indiana University. Before coming to Wisconsin, he taught at his alma mater, where he developed one of the finest marching bands in the Midwest. He is in constant demand as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator for concert and marching bands throughout the United States and Canada, and his experience also includes considerable professional work as an arranger, composer and performer. He has won myriad awards and was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.

The story of the Wisconsin Band began very inconspicuously in the autumn of 1885, when the University Press, a weekly publication that covered campus events until 1887, announced the “official authorization for the organization of the Wisconsin Regimental Band.” According to the University Press, Major Chase, the Battalion commandant, strongly stressed in 1883 that there was a “need for a fife and drum corps to play for the Battalion drills.” That first band, with F.O. May as leader, consisted of 11 musicians with two or three more being involved with the band’s activities before the year concluded.

The Wisconsin Band maintains a high profile among musicians and Badger enthusiasts throughout the state and region. The Varsity Band is part of this program, providing performance opportunities for University students during the winter and spring, culminating in its annual extravaganza at the Kohl Center. The Wisconsin Band was formed in 1885. That first band, with F.O. May as leader, consisted of 11 musicians with two or three more being involved with the band’s activities before the year concluded.

“As soon as we heard that Mike was retiring, we reached out to the band to pitch the idea of a musical bobblehead,” said Phil Sklar, Co-Founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. “Mike is a legend who has influenced so many people during his remarkable career and we think this bobblehead is the perfect way to honor and celebrate him.”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is finishing set-up of its permanent location, which is expected to open this winter. The HOF and Museum was announced in November 2014 and hosted a Preview Exhibit in 2016. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us at www.BobbleheadHall.com, www.facebook.com/BobbleheadHall or www.twitter.com/BobbleheadHall.