PROFESSOR MAXINE LEFEVER
1931 - 2004

It is with great sadness that Purdue University Bands announces the passing of Professor Emerita Maxine Lane Lefever. Prof. Lefever lost her battle with cancer on June 20, 2004 at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. She was 73 years of age. She is survived by her son David and brother Ralph Lane of Racine, Wisconsin.

Maxine was born in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1931. She attended Illinois Wesleyan University, and had degrees from Western State College (B.A.) and Purdue University (M.S.). She came to Purdue University as a teaching assistant in 1962 after seven years of successful public school teaching in the public schools of Illinois and Colorado.

Maxine joined the band staff at Purdue University as a teaching assistant with responsibility for percussion instruction, a responsibility she would hold until her retirement. In 1966, she took over the administration and operation of the Purdue Summer Music and Twirling Camps, two of the largest camps of their type in the state. Maxine helped organize and traveled extensively on national and international tours with the Purdue Bands, and served Dr. Al G. Wright as an administrative assistant during his tenure at Purdue. She dedicated her life to the Purdue Band program until her retirement in 1987 with the rank of Professor of Bands Emerita, at which time she continued to be one of the band's most rabid fans and most dedicated supporters. Over her career at Purdue, Maxine touched thousands of lives and contributed to the success of many former band students. She remains one of Purdue Band's most significant donors, establishing endowments for percussion activities as well as a special student award for outstanding percussionists.

During her tenure at Purdue, Maxine composed extensively, writing over 32 works for percussion solo and ensembles. She transcribed numerous orchestral works for symphonic band, and wrote extensively for various music education journals, particularly in the area of percussion. She served as a clinician and adjudicator in the percussion for various music festivals in the United States and Canada. Professor Lefever also served as Secretary/Treasurer for the National Band Association from 1968 - 1978 and Vice-President/Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the John Philip Sousa Foundation from 1981 - 2000. She also served as chair for the National Honors Bands sponsored by both organizations.

At the time of her death, Maxine served as President of American Bands Abroad, Inc. and since 1971 had sponsored student band travel to Europe through her American Musical Ambassadors ensembles. Over 6,000 students have traveled with AMA groups to various sites in Europe for live performances. Her guest conductors on these tours included some of the finest band conductors in the United States.

Maxine held honorary memberships in Delta Omicron, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi, was an honorary member of the United States Navy Band and the United States Air Force Band, and had received the Star of the Order from the John Philip Sousa Foundation and a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. She was a member of the College Band Directors national Association, Big Ten Band Directors Association, Percussive Arts Society, Music Educators National Conference, National Band Association, The John Philip Sousa Foundation, the Purdue "All-American" Club and the Purdue President's Council. She is listed in the "Who's Who In America" and the "International Who's Who in Music" publications.

The entire Purdue Bands family joins in expressing our deepest sympathies to Professor Lefever's family. She will long be remembered as a significant driving force in the Purdue University Bands organization.

Funeral details:

Location: Soller Baker Funeral Home
400 Twyckenham Blvd.
Lafayette, IN 47909 (south side of Lafayette)
(765) 474-1111

Viewing: Wednesday, June 23, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Service: Thursday, June 24, 10:00 a.m.

Those of you wishing to send cards to David Lefever may send them to him at the following address:

225 Tamiami Trail
West Lafayette, IN 47906