Clayton H. Krehbiel was born in Moundridge, Kansas
and died in 1988 in Atlanta, Georgia. After earning the
bachelor's degree in music education from The
University of Kansas, Krehbiel was the band director at
Oberlin, Kansas. He sang with Norman Luboff, Mitch
Miller, Fred Waring, and Robert Shaw. By the time he
left New York in 1949, Krehbiel had participated in
over thirty recording sessions for RCA and Columbia
Records and he earned a master's degree at Columbia
University. He returned to the state for a 17 year career
as director of choral activities at The University of
Kansas. While at the university, he was honored as the
first recipient of the prestigious HOPE (Honor for
Outstanding and Progressive Educators) Award. In
1966, Krehbiel became director of the Cleveland
Orchestra Chorus, was director of choral activities at
Kent State University, and served as coordinator of the
vocal division of the Blossom Music Center. In 1971, he
was appointed director of choral activities at the Florida
State University.