Neil A. Kjos Music Company

In the early 1930s, Neil A. Kjos, Sr., pursued his dream to go into the music publishing business. After working for several publishers, he was encouraged by Howard and Bill Lyons of the Lyons Band Instrument Company, to start a sheet music service of his own. Thus in 1936, the Neil A. Kjos Music Company was born. For the next two decades, the company grew, and published and distributed numerous successful choral and band curricula. During this time, the band music of Paul Yoder and Forrest Buchtel became known the world over. By 1956, the Neil A. Kjos Music Company had outgrown its premises rented from the Lyons Band Instrument Company and undertook the construction of a 20,000 square foot plant in Park Ridge, Illinois. Neil A Kjos, Jr., soon began working for the company after receiving degrees from St. Olaf College and Columbia University Teachers College, and serving in the 524th Air Force Band. Neil Jr. acquired the title of president when his father retired in 1969. In 1...