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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 IQ

Tim Jankovich was recently named head basketball coach at Illinois State University after four years at KU. He joins a long list of former KU assistants are now head coaches, including Bill Self, who was an assistant at KU in 1986. Coaches, their current positions and their years at KU: John Calipari, head coach, Memphis, 1984-85; Mark Turgeon, head coach, Texas A&M, 1989-92; Kevin Stallings, head coach, Vanderbilt, 1989-93; Matt Doherty, head coach, Southern Methodist, 1993-99; Neil Dougherty, head coach, Texas Christian, 1996-2002; Norm Roberts, head coach, St. Johns, 2003-04.