A longtime Kingfisher band director is making a short move to the south.

Dakota Horn was among those to tender a resignation with the school district last week.

He has accepted the same position at Okarche. That board of education approved his hiring Thursday during a special meeting.

He’ll replace Russell Harris, who accepted a position as assistant band director at Deer Creek.

“I grew up in a small school and I am excited to get back into that environment,” Horn told the KT&FP.

Horn has been at Kingfi sher Public Schools since 2011.

He was originally hired as band director, but in 2016 also took on a role in special education at KHS.

He taught both band and special education for three years before moving solely into special education from 2019 to 2021.

In 2021, Horn returned to band and has been co-director with Mandy Owens since.

Owens joined the staff part-time in 2013 and became full-time in 2016. She remains with the band program.

“She is a gifted teacher, a skilled musician and a hard worker,” Horn said.

He added more about his time in Kingfisher.

“The students at Kingfisher have always been phenomenal kids who come from phenomenal families,” he said. “I will miss working with them.

“The staff, certified and uncertified alike, is top notch and I wish them the very best. Thank you to all the administrators who have supported music in our school over the years.”

He also thanked the band boosters and school board for their support over the years.

Horn then spoke on the virtues of music.

“Music education enhances brain development, calms anxiety, unlocks hidden skills in young people, creates a vast land of opportunity beyond high school and holds many other benefi ts too numerous for one newspaper article,” he said.

“The value of a quality music education cannot be understated.”

He’ll now be preaching that value to students in Okarche.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Horn to Okarche Public Schools,” said Okarche Superintendent Josh Sumrall.

“He is bringing several years of experience to our band program and we look forward to him leading our band students and joining our faculty.”

The vote to hire Horn was 4-0 with John Pinkerton, Jarrod Mueggenborg, Heather Nance and Robert Anderson voting for it. Joe Alig was unable to attend the meeting.

Kingfisher Superintendent David Glover said last Monday he was working on lining up interviews for potential replacements for Horn.