The McPherson College band received the highest distinction for a college band in Kansas by being selected to perform at this year’s Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) state convention in February. The milestone is even more significant since the band program has been selected to perform five times in the past eight years.
“Few bands at any level get selected to perform at KMEA,” said McPherson College Director of Bands Kyle Hopkins. “Our five selections in the past eight years really sets us apart from other private institutions. Since 2018 our concert band has been selected three times and our jazz band two, which is a historic accomplishment for a private Kansas college.”
The McPherson College Jazz Band is among fewer than 50 other college and high school instrumental and vocal ensembles performing at the state conference, which will be held February 27-28 in Wichita at Century II. It is the only private college jazz ensemble selected to perform this year.
Ensembles are selected to perform through a “blind” audition process, and no ensemble can be selected in consecutive years. The MC band program consists of 57 members from many academic programs and includes a concert and a jazz band. The band’s first public performance this academic year will be on September 30.