Band class is offered to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students each semester at Lexington Trails.  We also offer a jazz band for all band students, especially pianists, guitarists, bass players, and drumset players.  Due to the extra rehearsal time with these students, they tend to be my strongest and most confident musicians.  This fall, we will perform a concert at LTMS called a NIGHT OF JAZZ featuring the USD #232 middle school jazz bands and high school big bands.  Our featured big band for this performance is the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Seven jazz combo.  These professional musicians all perform with the KCJO which is the house band for the Kauffman Performing Arts Center in downtown Kansas City.  These are the best jazz musicians in this part of the country, and I am thrilled that our band students will have the opportunity to hear these pros live in the LTMS Auditorium in November.

Band is a participation class and all students are required to practice at home to improve on their instrument.  We have an OUTSTANDING band program at LTMS that is well respected around the state of Kansas and often have more LTMS band students selected to the area honor bands than any of the other middle school bands in the state.  Band students will not only perform in a winter and spring concert, but will have numerous opportunities to participate in fun music activities outside of school.  Some of these fun events are the Wichita State University Middle School Band Day that takes place in Wichita, tuba Christmas at the Kauffman Center for euphonium and tuba players, and Trombone Christmas at Crown Center- Kansas City , Missouri. 

Events that will help your musician advance on their instrument include private lessons, Fountain City Youth Brass Band, ECK Mid-Level Honor Band, Kansas John Philip Sousa  Honor Band, Kansas Bandmasters Honor Band in Wichita each July.  Additionally, many students will participate in our USD 232 Solo/Ensemble performance in February, and will attend summer band camps at KU, KSU, KCKCC, and Ft. Hays University.

-Rob Foster, Director