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Professor gives Emporia gift of song for its 150th anniversary celebration

James Barnes

With a little help from his friends, James Barnes, professor of music and dance, gave the city of Emporia a timeless gift for its 150th anniversary.

Barnes composed a song that was performed by the Emporia Municipal Band on July 5 at a city celebration. "Beacon on the Prairie," a march, is Barnes' musical tribute to the city.

Gary McCarty, conductor of the Emporia Municipal Band, approached Barnes about composing the song.

"Gary and I go way back. We were in the KU band together many years ago," Barnes said.

McCarty developed an appreciation for Barnes' music from their time as bandmates and friends.

"I love his stuff. It sounds good. It's fun to play. And you can extract so much teaching from Jim's music," McCarty told the Emporia Gazette.

The title "Beacon on the Prairie" alludes to Barnes' travels between Wichita and Lawrence. While passing through Emporia, the city's water tower reminded him of a lighthouse, or beacon, for those traveling through the area.

KU HISTORY

Time magazine expected big things out of Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy. In a July 16, 1951, article about the departure of Chancellor Deane W. Malott and his replacement, Murphy, Time said, "In the last 12 years, KU has begun to climb from its place as a solid but unspectacular state university … Under Chancellor Murphy, it hopes to climb even faster." For more, visit www.kuhistory.com