The Kansas Masonic Foundation, Inc. has announced plans to present the 31st annual Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band and corresponding band camp at Pittsburg State University (PSU), July 22 – 26.  
Approximately 178 high school musicians will attend this year’s camp, directed by PSU’s Douglas Whitten and his staff. The five-day camp ends with performances at the Shrine Bowl parade, as well as pre-game and halftime performances during the Kansas East-West Shrine Bowl Football Game on Saturday, July 26, at PSU’s Carnie Smith Stadium.  
The Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band first appeared at the East-West Shrine Bowl in 1984.
“The idea for the marching band and camp was actually borne out of necessity,” said Robert Shively, Executive Director for the Kansas Masonic Foundation. “Because of the summer break, high school bands are not readily available, so we created our own. The entertainment provided by the marching band is a perfect complement to the atmosphere of the East-West Shrine Bowl.”
Band Camp participants have the opportunity to win one of three prestigious awards presented annually:
The Outstanding Musician Award: The Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band staff chooses the winner of this competitive award.
The Masonic Pride Award: This award is presented to the student who stands out through random acts of kindness and service to all band kind.
The Jeff Atherly Inspiration Award: This award, given in memory of Jeff Atherly – a four-year veteran of band camp – is presented to the student who epitomizes the character of the Kansas Masonic All-Star Marching Band tradition.
Since 1984, more than 5,000 high schools students have participated in the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band. Local Masonic Lodges and other community partners sponsor the participants. After band camp expenses are paid, monies left over from the camp are given back to the students in the form of scholarships. Net proceeds from the East-West Shrine Bowl football game are donated to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Area students attending band camp include: Tanner Bolton, Alto Saxophone and Aubrey Dorzweiler-Hawks, Piccolo/Flute, Ellsworth Lodge #146 Ellsworth High School;Andrew Erb, Trumpet, Topeka High Twelve Club, Caleb Klein, Percussion, Golden Sheaf Chapter #226. Kaitlynn Tuey, Clarinet, Great Bend Lodge #15, Dylan Vsetecka, Percussion, Ritualistic Cast of Arab Temple, Great Bend High School.
For more information, visit kansasmason.org.