STERLING — It has been a long time since a Sterling College band has hit the road on tour. Sterling College Band director Larry Brownlee and his 15-member Jazz Band took the road logging 430 miles on their one-day tour of three Kansas high schools last week. Another tour date with three more high schools is planned for later this month.
The last time a Sterling College band went on tour was some 40 years ago when Bob Gordon was director of the band and Brownlee himself was a student. Brownlee recalls the tours as being highlights of his Sterling College days.
Last week’s tour began at Rock Creek High School in St. George, then went on to Burlington High School and ended at Hillsboro High School.
“When we set our first tour day to begin at Rock Creek High School, I thought it would be fun to ask Janie Brokenicky (Sterling High School alum and now Rock Creek High School choir director) if she would like to sing it with us. She was excited to join us,” Brownlee said. He plans to use high school vocalists at other tour stops.
When asked why go on tour, Brownlee said, “First of all, just the love, joy and excitement of music. Jazz is a truly American art form and a lot of high school either don’t currently have a jazz program or are just starting one. We’d love to encourage schools to build a jazz program and inspire students to be a part of it. We also want students to see what types of things we are doing at Sterling College and, hopefully, encourage them to take a look at us when they are considering a college to attend.”
Freshman Kurt Keegan, who plays trombone in the group, returned to his alma mater, Burlington High School, for the jazz band tour. “It was terrific to play for my high school. My two worlds merged – Sterling College and Burlington High School! I loved sharing with my friends who are still in high school what I’ve been part of here at Sterling,” Keegan said.
Besides Keegan, members of the Sterling College Jazz Band include Jake Pieplow, percussion from Sterling; Nya Williamson, bass from Wood River, Neb.; Robbie Stansbury, saxophone from Lyons; Macy Brownlee, saxophone from Sterling; Luke Harding, trumpet from Sterling; Bryson Brownlee, trombone from Sterling; Zeke Thompson, saxophone from Sterling; Natalie Schweizer, trumpet from Sterling; Noah Svaty, trumpet from Sterling; Caleb Brownlee, trombone from Sterling; Lily Stansbury, trumpet from Lyons; Grace Major, saxophone from Hillsboro; Michael Tweed, saxophone from Pearland, Texas; and Claire Fisk, keyboard from Frederick, Colo.
The group will head to three more schools on Feb. 15. Those include Trinity Catholic High School in Hutchinson, Pretty Prairie High School and Cheney High School.
