Les Lehr strikes up the Sacramento Symphonic Winds for Carmichael Founders Day 2007. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – Father, grandfather and godfather of Sacramento community bands, Les Lehr died on April 10 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The Carmichael resident was 88 years old.

Born in South Dakota, he arrived in California as a musically gifted child who excelled at baritone and trombone. His talents were nurtured at Sacramento High School, where he strode as a marching band drum major.

After graduation, he earned his bachelor’s degree in music from Sacramento State University and completed his master’s at Eastman School of Music in New York. His doctorate was conferred at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

During the long career that followed, Dr. Lehr would educate thousands of Californian musicians. He also coached clinics all over the United States and, while touring with a symphonic group in Australia, the visitor lengthened his stay to mentor musicians down under.

After classes, he climbed into Music Circus pits and swung with the trombones at big band dances.

“His preference was for classical music,” recalled his wife of 42 years, clarinetist Margie Lehr.  “I tried to get him into pop material, but he barely tolerated playing or listening to it. Modern music was just too simple for his educated taste.”

In preferred sophisticated style, Lehr graced the Sacramento Symphony for 14 years. His day job was professor of music for American River College; a passion for volunteer bands started when he inherited leadership of Ed La Franchi’s Sacramento Concert Band in 1983. Under Lehr’s aegis, the ensemble grew so large that it split into two bands. In time, these two bands divided and spawned again. 

“There are now many community bands that could claim ancestry with the Sacramento Concert Band,” said Margie Lehr. “My husband inspired other directors. His kindness to musicians of all ages set a tone in band leadership.”

Retiring after 32 years from ARC, the conductor created his trademark ensemble. Much revered for classical repertoire, Sacramento Symphonic Winds was born under Lehr’s baton. Its 65 players present regular concerts at the CSUS music theater.

“Les was always a master programmer,” said his wife. “He was proud of his musicians. He loved to plan concerts that showcased the variety of talent among them.”

Marches were an inevitable focus.

“They were simpler than the symphonies he preferred,” noted Margie Lehr.  “But Les knew people expected a march or two at band concerts,” said Margie Lehr. “He wasn’t going to disappoint them.”

In 2004, the legend of John Philip Sousa marched irrevocably into Lehr’s life.

“Oh Mr. Sousa!” is a biographical review that pays tribute to America’s historic March King. The San Francisco co-producer Ken Malucelli charged Lehr to play the part of Sousa and take the show on the road.

“Les arranged most of the 27 pieces in the performance and got himself a Sousa-style uniform,” recalled his wife.  “He toured America, staging the show with many professional bands. It was a huge hit and Les loved doing it.  He told me about veterans who cried at these concerts – they were so moved by the patriotism of the music.”

Dressed in “Oh Mr. Sousa” attire Les lehr (right) conducts at a La Sierra Center presentation of the show. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

The conductor marched on with Sousa until 2010, when he retired his uniform and focused on his beloved Sacramento Symphonic Winds. Though diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, he bolstered his band’s trombone section for as long as his chops allowed. He then sold his horns and moved to the percussion section.

“Les didn’t care what instrument he played,” his wife said. “He just wanted to keep playing.”

Lehr relinquished leadership to conductor Timothy Smith during a Carmichael Park concert in 2016.

“He was sad to give up this important part of his life,” said Margie Lehr. “But he was relieved to see his band in good hands.” 

The Symphonic Winds is now led by Dr Matthew Morse.

The ensemble will join a dozen other community bands for the annual Sacramento Valley Symphonic Bands Association Festival in Carmichael Park on June 6 and 7. The entire event will be dedicated to the late maestro. 

“Les was one of the association founders,” his wife explained. “It’s fitting that its festival will be dedicated to Les Lehr. His legacy is respected by so many musicians.”

Dr Les Lehr’s celebration of life will be held at Christ Community Church in Carmichael at 2 p.m. June 26. In lieu of flowers, donations to the nonprofit Sacramento Symphonic Winds are requested.