Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2009 Ed McMahon Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2009

Inducted for Outstanding Contributions as a Director of Central High School

Biography Ed McMahon is a 1964 graduate of Kingsley-Pierson High School.  In 1975 Ed McMahon came to Central Community Schools and served as the Band director for this high school for 32 years until his retirement in 2007.  As CHS band director, Ed initiated many long-standing productions such as the Indoor Marching Band concert, Swinging Sabers Jazz Festival, and with the help of Carolyn Eggleston, the CHS Variety Show.  

Article from the Observer For many former Central Community High School band students, they remember fondly the time they spent with longtime band instructor Ed McMahon. For instance, 2001 Central Community High School graduate Michael Prichard remembers a man who allowed him to take chances and provided opportunities which took his love of music to another level. “He was really a mentor for me,” notes Prichard, who played the trumpet. “He was the person who allowed me to get up in front of a group and conduct. Even in college, he remained a resource for me, answering any questions I had.” In fact, McMahon is the one who influenced Prichard to attend his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls. Before starting college, however, McMahon graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 1964 from Kingsley-Pierson High School in Kingsley. At the commencement ceremony, he and Bernie Sagau, the executive secretary of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, were the only speakers.

The Observer (cont.) McMahon had been a section leader in the Kingsley-Pierson Panther marching band and, at that time, the band was awarded with 17 consecutive Superior ratings at the Iowa High School Marching Band Contest. In addition to band, McMahon excelled in athletics earning multiple letters in track, baseball and basketball. In fact, he was chosen “Defensive Player of the Year” for the basketball team’s 1963-1964 season. McMahon graduated from UNI in 1968 as a music education major. While he was a student, he was concertmaster of the UNI Wind Symphony, president of the University Orchestra and president of the Phi Mu Alpha fraternity. He was called to serve his country in July 1968 when he enlisted in the Air Force. McMahon spent nearly four years with the 15th Air Force Band at March AFB, California. He also was a clarinet soloist with the group and the NCO in charge of the Woodwind Quintet. McMahon’s career as a music teacher began in 1972 at Amana Community Schools where he taught instrumental music to grades 5-12. He began the first marching band and jazz band the school had ever known. McMahon came to Central in the fall of 1975 and taught high school band for 32 years, until he retired in 2007.

The Observer (cont.) During his years at Central, McMahon’s bands traveled and performed on the White House lawn, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Disney World, the Epcot Center, and Sea World in Florida. The band also performed in the Astrodome in Houston, Jackson Square in New Orleans, Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, Niagara Falls, Six Flags in Denver and New York City. McMahon began the tradition of the indoor marching band concert, the Swingin’ Sabers Jazz Festival, the Saber Sights and Sounds Marching Band Festival and the variety show in conjunction with choral director Carolyn Eggleston. His biggest legacy are the dozens of former students who now are professional collegiate, public and private school music teachers; professional performers; music business employees; church musicians; as well as hundreds of others who have wonderful memories of their band days in high school. “He’s extremely knowledgeable,” Prichard shares. “He always had a good relationship with the students and could really relate well to them. He also did a great job of programming music — it was challenging, but a lot of fun to play. “He’s definitely someone who did a lot for Central Community High School.”