History

KS Sousa Honor Band

In 2002, at the suggestion of Robert E Foster, Ed Colson and several local band directors organized and administered the first Kansas John Philip Sousa Junior Honor Band. The first rehearsals and concert were held at the Lied Center on the University of Kansas campus directed by Robert E Foster and Victor Sisk.

They created the honor band specifically:

To provide opportunities to perform in an honors band by junior high and middle school students at their level of performance.
To create opportunities for junior high school musicians to further develop their musical and performance skills.
To provide opportunities for junior high school band directors and students to participate in special instrumental clinics and rehearsals.
To build support for the junior high level of bands from parents, school administrators and communities,
To enhance self-esteem and confidence in the junior level band student.
To motivate gifted band members by providing them with additional opportunities for the development of their special musical skills.
To provide bonding experiences with student musicians from other schools.

Learn more about our parent organization, including its founder John Philip Sousa: John Philip Sousa Foundation. The KS Honor Band is part of the John Philip Sousa Honor Bands Project.

Past Conductors

Robert E. Foster, John Lynch, Victor Sisk, Lt. Col. Allen Bonner, James Hudson, Paula Crider, Richard Saucedo, David Clemmer, David Holsinger, Martin Bergee, Douglas Akey, Craig Fuchs, Scott Wiess, Paul Popiel, Ann Goodwin-Clark, John O’Rielly, Mathew O. Smith, James Swearingen, Sharon Toulouse, Johnnie Vinson, Quincy Hilliard, Lindsey Williams, Larry Clark, Andrew Boysen, Lyndsay Boysen, Linda Moorhouse, Gerald Gipson, Randall Standridge, Avian Bear, Tremon Kizer, Jay Gephart, Mickey Smith, Jr., Johannah Cox, Paul Popiel,
Mark Bonner.