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Douglas Carpenter
2002 Outstanding Educator

Douglas Carpenter was the chairman of the fine arts department and director of bands for Watertown public schools for 27 years, retiring in 1987. He previously taught band, singing and history courses at Geddes and Tripp. Since 1961, he has served as the director of the Watertown Municipal Band.

Carpenter received his bachelor's degree in music education from DWU in 1950 and a Master of Music degree from the University of South Dakota in 1960, with additional studies at the University of Iowa and South Dakota State University.

He was named South Dakota Teacher of the Year in 1975 and became a member of the American Bandmasters Association in 1987. He was one of six band directors inducted in the South Dakota Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1992. Carpenter has received several awards for his work, including the South Dakota High School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award and the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Association Award for Outstanding Music Educator.

Carpenter has served as an adjudicator for numerous parades, marching contests and music contests, and as guest conductor and clinician several times throughout his career.
He conducted the United States Army Band on one occasion and the United States Field Forces Band twice. During Would War II, he served two years as a bandsman in the U.S. Army and for more than 20 years as first chair trombone and trombone soloist with the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Carpenter and his wife, Donna, live in Watertown and are the parents of four adult children.