Vernon Skoog was Director of Fine Arts for the Jefferson County School System. He graduated from Riverside-Brookfield (Illinois) High School. He attended the Sherwood School of Music and University of Chicago, where he earned his BME. Mr. Skoog relocated to Birmingham in 1937, where he developed an outstanding choral program at Ensley High School. In 1947, he was appointed Director of Music for the Jefferson County School System. In 1962, he was promoted to Director of Fine Arts. His accomplishments include the establishment of an annual spring music festival, including approximately 2,500 students each year. He began the “Annual Dental Clinic Halftime Show,” including 13 high school bands.

Mr. Skoog served as a lecturer at Birmingham-Southern College, and worked with the State Educational Television Network to produce a series of television programs on “Music Through Instruments” and “Music Through Song.” In addition to his work with public school music, Mr.Skoog directed church choirs at Ensley United Methodist, First Presbyterian of Birmingham, and Vestavia Hills United Methodist. His professional memberships include Kappa Phi Kappa, the American Choral Directors Association, Dean of the American Guild of Organists, and membership on a number of boards and civic organizations.