Aug. 29, 2003

Contact: Becca Ramspott, KU School of Fine Arts, (785) 864-5567.

Missouri, Kansas high school bands to converge for 56th annual KU Band Day

LAWRENCE -- What do you get when you combine 36 high school bands, University of Kansas football, Massachusetts Street and lots of enthusiasm?

The 56th annual Band Day, of course! This all-day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 6, will commemorate the KU football game against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and will include approximately 36 high school bands from Missouri and Kansas.

Activities will include a parade on Massachusetts Street starting at 1:30 p.m. The parade will begin at Seventh Street and conclude at South Park, and will feature KU's own Marching Jayhawks, under the direction of the new associate director of bands, Jim Hudson.

"I really haven't been a part of a Band Day since I was in high school back in Iowa," said Hudson. "I remember that it was a lot of fun for the band and we always looked forward to it -- especially since we always seemed to win the parade competition."

The bands later will perform at Memorial Stadium during halftime festivities. Game time is 6 p.m.

The following bands are scheduled to participate:

Abilene High School
Anderson County High School, Garnett
Atchison High School
Axtell High School
Baldwin High School
Belle Plaine High School
Bern High School
Caney Valley High School
Central Heights High School, Richmond
Chase County High School, Cottonwood Falls
Columbus High School
Crest High School, Colony
Erie High School
Girard High School
Holden High School, Holden, Mo.
Jefferson County West High School, Meriden
Jefferson County North High School, Winchester
Labette County High School, Altamount
Lawrence Free State High School
Lawrence High School
McLouth High School
Mission Valley High School, Eskridge
Nemaha Valley High School, Seneca
Norwich High School
Osawatomie High School
Ottawa High School
Parsons High School
Perry-Lecompton High School
Piper High School, Kansas City, Kan.
Pleasant Ridge High School, Easton
Pleasanton High School
Raytown South High School, Raytown, Mo.
Sumner Academy, Kansas City, Kan.
Tonganoxie High School
Wabaunsee High School, Alma
Wathena High School