The Kansas Bandmasters Association has announced that Sarah (Reif) Bricker, formerly of Hoisington, is the recipient of the 2011 Outstanding Young Bandmaster Award. The award is presented annually by Phi Beta Mu and the Kansas Bandmasters Association to a young director who has taught for less than seven years. She will be recognized on July 15 during the annual Kansas Bandmasters Association Convention in Wichita.

Bricker is a 2001 graduate of Hoisington High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Bethany College, Lindsborg, in Music Education. She is beginning her fifth year as the director of bands at Decatur Community School, Oberlin. Prior to her time at Decatur Community, she was the director of band and vocal for the Ell-Saline School District, Brookville.

Her duties in USD 294 include Decatur Community High School concert band, pep band, marching band, jazz band, junior high band, 6th- and 5th-grade bands. She also teaches kindergarten and fourth grade general music.

She is the co-founder of the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, a foundation established in 1994, which provides support to Barton County children living with cancer. Since its inception, Kans for Kids has raised over a half million dollars while assisting 25 Barton County children living with cancer. She is the daughter of Duane and Debbie Reif, Hoisington.

Bricker is also a member of the Oberlin Area-wide Band, Flatlands Jazz Band, the Oberlin Arts and Humanities Board, as well as a member of the Bethany College Alumni Council. She holds professional affiliations with the Music Educator’s National Conference, the Kansas Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association.