Congratulations to the 2023 Kansas Sousa Junior Honor Band.
These talented musicians performed Jan. 21, 2023 at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas. A rehearsal was held the day before, also at KU.
Students are assigned to one of two bands: Blue (advanced) or Red (second).
The BLUE BAND was under the direction of clinician & conductor Mr. Mickey Smith, Jr. EDUCA-TAINER Mickey Smith Jr. is a GRAMMY Music Educator Award Recipient that hails from a forgotten community in the Bayou State of Louisiana and now stands on phenomenal stages encouraging educators to SEE THE SOUND & KEEP ON GOING. Mickey is acclaimed international speaker, saxophonist, author, and master development coach for elementary and middle school band directors as well as a self-management-strategist for educators. Smith specializes in motivational keynotes and transformative professional development training sessions for both corporate and educational clients who are ready to engage, educate, and elevate every audience member to excellence. In 2020, the year Mickey was awarded the GRAMMY Music Educator Award, CBS This Morning did a wonderful story on him.
The RED BAND was under the direction of clinician & conductor Mrs. Johannah Cox.
Johannah taught instrumental music for 40 years in Kansas. She was band director at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School in Lawrence for 34 years. Prior to Lawrence, she taught in the Salina Public School Schools from 1979-1985. She holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Music Education from Fort Hays State University. Johannah has served on the faculty of the High Plains Music Camp, Midwestern Music Camp and the Kansas International Lions Band. In 1985, the Kansas Bandmaster’s Association (KBA) named Johannah Outstanding Young Band Director. She served as the first woman President of KBA in 1989. Johannah also is a member of the KMEA and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). In the spring of 2009, she was named the Secondary Master Teacher of the Year for USD 497. Johannah was named the Outstanding Bandmaster for 2013 awarded by KBA. In the fall of 2018, she was named the 2018 Educator Impact Award winner by the Lied Center of the University of Kansas and the North East District Middle Level teacher of the year. Johannah is a woodwind specialist and runs a clarinet studio. She is on a lifelong quest for the world’s most perfect reed!! In her retirement, she directs the New Horizons Band in Lawrence and is a member of the Lawrence Community Handbell Choir.
REHEARSALS
All students participating in the KS Sousa Honor Band are expected to attend all rehearsals prior to the performance. Weather-related and illness-related absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and at the discretion of the KS Sousa Honor Band Executive Board.
Friday evening – Lied Center
Saturday all day – Lied Center
Concert Saturday afternoon – Lied Center
Students are expected to dress in concert attire (black and white) on performance day. Students should arrive in those clothes as there are no changing facilities.
SHIRTS/PHOTOS/RECORDINGS
Participants will receive a shirt as part of their participation fee.
Recordings of performances will be available for purchase. Purchased CDs/downloads will be sent to students through their band director.
COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
Each participant can purchase a commerative plaque with his or her name engraved. Learn more.
Kansas John Philip Sousa Junior Honor Band 