The McPherson High School band has been in its marching season for a while now. On October 9, they’ll head to Baker College in Baldwin City, KS, and perform for other bands. 

Allison Henry, the section leader for the clarinet section at MHS was interviewed for her feelings on the upcoming performance by the band at Baker College in Baldwin City, KS.

“I think that we are progressing really well; I will say that I think that the strategy we had the last couple of years has been working a little bit better; learning more sets and then repping them rather than adding them one by one.” 

Numerous students are committed to expanding their musical abilities and perfecting their marching techniques, and Henry is no exception. Band members not only dedicate extensive time to daily practice, but also gather for sectionals every Monday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Henry relates her time as a clarinet section leader as “A little scary at first, I have  definitely been improving since I have been learning how the section works.”

Henry is a junior this year at MHS and expresses that she wants her section “…not to be an issue, but only because we’re high schoolers and things happen; we don’t know what people are going through.” 

The MHS band performs under the direction of Kyle Unruh, a crucial MHS and MMS staff member. Since fifth grade, Unruh has been actively involved in band activities and has devoted himself to educating the next generation. Spending several hours each day leading various student groups, he characterizes the band with a single word, excellence.

“I wouldn’t say I have any doubts for the performance, I think we have a lot of potential to do a really high level performance and keep our momentum going.”

Unruh is proud of the band for their meticulous attention to detail. Students like Caiden Crosthwaite, Jordyn Gawith, and Celaine Worden participate in both the symphonic band and the jazz ensemble, and they dedicate time to audition for KMEA’s jazz ensemble in October 2024.

Unruh fondly recalls his most cherished experiences occurring at either an honor band festival or state KMEA conventions. “When I was a student my band played at the KMEA convention, and then also as a teacher I have had a lot of fun seeing my own students perform at competitions but also at conventions like KMEA convention and festivals.”

Unruh is hopeful for the future of the band, “Go bullpups.”