Howard Halgedahl received his bachelor's degree from
the University of Arizona and finished a master's degree
at the Eastman School of Music. During World War II
he served as a bassoonist in the Army Air Force Band
in Washington, DC. He became an associate professor
of music theory and bassoon at Wichita State
University and was assistant conductor of both the
Wichita Symphony and the Wichita Youth Symphony.
In 1950, Halgedahl became supervisor of music in the
Winfield Public schools and there was involved in the
Ford Foundation's Contemporary Music Project. He
taught at the National Music Camp in Interlochen,
Michigan. In 1972, Halgedahl joined the faculty at
Emporia State University, where he performed with the
Mid-America Woodwind Quintet.