Kansas State March

"The Kansas March"

(Composed by Duff E. Middleton)

Adopted in 1935.

The march, "The Kansas March", composed by Duff E. Middleton, was adopted as an official state march of Kansas in 1935. A second composition, "Here's Kansas", was adopted as the second official march of Kansas in 1992.

"The Kansas March" was adopted in 1935 as a Kansas State March.

Kansas State March: "The Kansas March"

"The Kansas March"

Origin of March: "The Kansas March"

Kansas has two official state marches, "The Kansas March" adopted in 1935 and most recently "Here's Kansas" adopted in 1992. Both sets of music can be found in the Kansas Statutes.

Some information on Duff Middleton, taken from his obituary in the Wichita Morning Eagle, November 18, 1954.

"For 17 years was director of instrumental music in the Wichita schools. [...] During his years in the Wichita Schools, Middleton established a nationwide reputation as a director of bands and as a teacher of instrumental music.

In addition to his work with shool bands, Mr. Middleton was also active as director of the American Legion band. Before coming to Wichita from Tulsa in 1928 he directed the American Legion band that won a national contest in Dallas, Tex.

[...]Mr. Middleton was born in Augusta and lived in Tulsa for some time. He directed music in the Wichita schools from 1928 until 1947 when he resigned to head the Middleton Water Well Co., a position he held until his death."

78-801. The Kansas March. The march "The Kansas March," composed by Duff E. Middleton, is hereby established as the official state march of Kansas.

At some point, Victor Murdock wrote words for the last part:

Blue sky above us, silken strands of heat
Rim of the far horizon, where earth and heaven meet,
Kansas as a temple, stands in velvet sod
Shrine which the sunshine, sanctifies to God.
(repeat)

In 1953, Robert R. Jones rewrote the music and added words. Cheers for Kansas was the result.

Kansas Statutes, Chapter 73, Section 73-801. The sheet music is included within the statute. Note that the wording establishing this official march reads, "...the official state march of Kansas" while the legislation establishing "Here's Kansas" reads "...an official march of Kansas."

Kansas Law

The law designating the march "The Kansas March," as the official Kansas state march is found in the Kansas General Statutes, Chapter 73, Section 73-801.

CHAPTER 73. SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND PATRIOTIC EMBLEMS
ARTICLE 8. STATE MARCHES
SECTION 73-801. THE KANSAS MARCH

73-801. The Kansas March. The march "The Kansas March," composed by Duff E. Middleton, is hereby established as the official state march of Kansas. Said march is as follows:


History:  L. 1935, ch. 262, § 1; May 15.