1933
Born to Louis Mark Colson and Frances (Hogan) Colson in Marengo, IA.
1955
Earns a Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa; Marries Nancy Kay Colson on August 27.
1956
Achieves a Master of Arts from the University of Iowa.
1956
Is the band director for the high schools of Lake Park, Garner and Iowa City, IA through 1959.
1962
Is a brass instructor at the Adams State College of Colorado (now known as Adams State University) until 1965.
1963
Is a brass instructor at Bettendorf Middle School in Iowa.
1965
Is the director of orchestra/brass and conductor for the Civic Symphony Orchestra at South Dakota State University until named emeritus in 1999.
1965
Serves as a guest conductor at orchestra and band festivals across the Midwest through 1999.
1967
Is the director of the South Dakota All-State Music Camp in Brookings, SD until 1975.
1975
Is a program coordinator for the Brookings Chamber Music Society until 1999.
1975
Is the director of the Junior High Rushmore Music Camp in Black Hills, SD until 1978.
1987
Serves as a coordinator of the Contemporary American Music Festival in Brookings, SD through 1997.
1990
Receives a Distinguished Service Award from Phi Beta Mu.
2001
Is named Outstanding Music Educator by the National Federation Interscholastic Association.
2019
Receives the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service in Arts Education from the State of South Dakota.
2020
Is inducted into the South Dakota Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.
2021
Maintains membership with the International Trumpet Guild, Harding Distinguished Lecture Series and Brookings Chamber Music Society.