Bowen Boyack of KBN: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to get this job as a Band Director at Wichita South.
Jordan Brown: I’ve actually had the opportunity to work in a variety of different types of schools. I graduated from Goddard High School in 2002 where I was able to be a part of a competitive marching band as well as a strong concert program. My first job was a 3A program at Chaparral High School in Anthony Kansas. While there we grew from 30 high school band members to 70 my last year. We were able to travel to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio where we won our class size for field show competition, in addition to sweeping caption awards. I then moved to Bishop Carroll in Wichita where we had a very competitive marching and concert program. However, I realized something was missing while there. For me, making a difference in people’s lives is a huge part of my fulfilment as a teacher, and I have found that I can do that in a unique and important way working at Wichita South. It’s also always been a goal of mine to grow a Wichita program into something more successful and competitive. I strongly believe in the students at South. Even though we don’t have some of the advantages of suburban programs, we have great, hardworking students that strive to make themselves better as people and musicians. Personally, I get to make a difference and support the lives of kids that may not get a lot of support from other places. Band is truly a family here and means a lot to the students involved.
BB: Tell me a little bit about the Band Program here at WSHS.
JB: When I started at South we had 60 students in band on a good day and about 50 in orchestra. In the last six years we have grown to a marching band of 160 students and orchestra of about 120. We are able to divide into two concert ensembles by audition. South also didn’t have a strong tradition in terms of marching. Memorizing music, marching field shows and participating in competitions was all a new experience. We have been developing a culture of hard work and success, increasing the events that we participate in and the level of marching show and music. We put high level concert band literature in front of the ensembles and hold them responsible for learning their parts and being successful. We face significant challenges, including the fact that we have to raise money for any travel, and a low budget for music and drill. We did just purchase new marching uniforms that we will be debuting at the beginning of next season. Our district has been great in helping us start to purchase new equipment and instruments to support our growing program, as well as increased staffing. We are starting to get students into honor ensembles around the area and increasing the number who take lessons and try to pursue music at a higher level.
BB: What inspired your musical selections this year for marching band?
JB: We have been pushing each year to create a marching show that reflects a true theme or story, while on a limited budget and using stock arrangements. I also write all of our drill, which represents a significant investment of time. Last year we did a “Wichita History” theme, and were able to get the mayor to record narration while we told the story of our hometown. This year we did a show entitled “Escape from the Rainforest”. We came up with the idea as we were discussing music that we thought we could adapt into a cohesive story line.
BB: What competitions did you go to this marching season and what ratings/scores did you get?
JB: The last three years we have participated in Andover Southern Plains Festival and Neewollah and received “1” ratings. This year we scored a “2” rating at Neewollah, which wasn’t what we wanted, but gives us the motivation to keep improving! When these current seniors were freshmen South went to its first marching competition in many years. It’s truly been a story of building a program from the ground up.
BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking within the next 3-4 years.
JB: This spring break we are traveling to Florida to perform at Disney World. We are planning on increasing our marching band competitions next year.
BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?
JB: With our Wind Ensemble we are working on “Ride” by Samuel Hazo, “English Folk Suite” by Ralph Vaughn Williams and “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Grainger. We perform at our City League Festival and State Band Festival.
BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans for your band that you would be willing to share?
JB: Debuting our new marching band uniforms and continuing our growth as a program. We look forward to showing the state what Wichita South students are capable of. My goal is to support these students and hold them to the same standards of any successful band program.
Thank you, Jordan. Best of luck to you and the WS Bands in your future.
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