TOPEKA — The Kansas Masonic Foundation, Inc. has announced plans to present the 34th annual Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band and corresponding band camp at Butler Community College from July 25-29.
Approximately 175 high school musicians will attend this year’s camp, directed by Butler Community College’s Brett Martinez 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 29 at Butler’s BG Products Veterans Sports Complex.
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: Presented to the student who stands out through random acts of kindness and service to all band kind.
• The Jeff Atherly Inspiration Award: Given in memory of Jeff Atherly —a four-year veteran of band camp. This award is presented to the student who epitomizes the character of the Kansas Masonic All-Star Marching Band tradition.
Since 1984, more than 6,000 high schools students have participated in the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band. Local Masonic Lodges and other community partners sponsor participants. Monies left after band camp expenses 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.
Local students participating are: Dharma Couse, Sylvan-Lucas Jr./Sr. High School, clarinet; Andrew Cross, Macksville High School, Lewis, trumpet; McKenna Esfeld, Great Bend High School, piccolo/flute; Hayden Gardner, Hoisington High School, percussion; Lisa Marlow, Great Bend High School, clarinet; Nash Stambaugh, Hoisington High School, percussion.