Former RHS Music Teacher Steve Olsen To Receive Award

ROSEMOUNT, MN —Former Rosemount High School band director Steve Olsen has won the 2021 Hall of Fame Legacy Award for his contribution to the school's instrumental music and performing arts department, RHS has announced.

The award will be presented to Olsen at Sunday's Rosemount Community Band and RHS Wind Ensemble Concert, which will begin at 2 p.m. at the RHS Performing Arts Center.

Olsen retired in 2018 after 37 years as a public-school band director. He spent 18 years at Rosemount High School and was a 5th-grade band director, where he gave many current and former RHS band members their start in music. He also worked for 12 years at Eden Prairie High School.

"His leadership and service as a musician and educator were influential in the growth and success of our concert and marching band program," Rosemount High's Performing Arts Department said in a statement. "Steve's leadership in the area of instrumental music education is felt throughout ISD196, the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area and the State of Minnesota."

Olsen is a charter member of the Minnesota Band Directors Association, a past vice-president of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and he has held leadership roles in the Minnesota State High School League.

Olsen received the Impact Award for Distinguished Teaching from the University of Minnesota in 2005, was inducted into Phi Beta Mu (International Honorary Fraternity of Band Directors) in 2006, was inducted into the Youth in Music Marching Arts Hall of Fame in 2016 and was voted the 2017 Schmitt Music Educator of the Year.

A trumpet player, Olsen still performs in the Genesis Jazz Orchestra and the Rosemount Community Band. He also remains active as a judge and clinician for instrument contests and festivals.