{"id":142,"date":"2023-03-26T04:53:06","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T04:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/?page_id=142"},"modified":"2026-04-06T19:39:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T19:39:15","slug":"middle-level-band","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/?page_id=142","title":{"rendered":"Middle Level Honor Band"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC1943.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">July 17, 2026 \u2013 Double Tree Hotel Airport, Wichita, KS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The KBA Middle-Level Honor Band is an opportunity for students to participate in a top-level ensemble under the direction of a prominent conductor\/clinician.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This unique summertime event allows band directors an opportunity to reward student progress and achievement, as well as provide students a wonderful honor band experience with a nationally recognized conductor\/clinician! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The participation fee for each student selected is <strong>$40.<\/strong> This fee includes lunch.  Registration payments will be due by <strong>May 9th<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Directors who have students participating in the honor band must be current KBA members, register for the KBA Summer Convention, and remain on site and available throughout the duration of your student&#8217;s visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Directors<\/strong> &#8211; Your help is crucial to the success of the ML Honor Band. Please ensure that nominated students and their parents are aware of the date, time, and financial commitment before you nominate them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The band size is limited to approximately 100 students, so please understand that not every student nominated may be selected.  The selection of students\/instrumentation will be posted on the KBA website the first part of May.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Schedule of Events<\/strong> (<em>Tentative<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>7:30am Check In<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>8:00am Rehearsals Begin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3:00pm Concert<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 KBA MLB ROSTER<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Congratulations to all students &amp; directors!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-file\"><object class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-KBA-MLB-Roster-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of 2026-KBA-MLB-Roster-1.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-52778028-f0bc-4b9d-814a-6c5530de53ce\" href=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-KBA-MLB-Roster-1.pdf\">2026-KBA-MLB-Roster-1<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2026-KBA-MLB-Roster-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-52778028-f0bc-4b9d-814a-6c5530de53ce\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 Conductor\/Clinician<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:24% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1016\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot-1016x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2884 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot-1016x1024.png 1016w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot-298x300.png 298w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot-768x774.png 768w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/EstesLaura_Headshot.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color\">Laura Estes<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After 36 years as a middle and high school band director, Laura Estes (b. 1959) retired in 2018 from the Cobb County School System (GA) and began composing. Her first piece,&nbsp;<em>Kvetchers (Surprises in Controversial Time)<\/em>, was published in Excelcia Music Publishing\u2019s 2020 catalog, and with her composition&nbsp;<em>Walking on Air<\/em>, Estes was named the winner of the 2021 Women Band Director\u2019s International (WBDI) Composition Competition. Along with original music performed at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Estes\u2019 concert works are frequently featured at state music conventions, All-State events, and regional honor bands throughout the United States. In addition to appearing on state festival and contest lists, several of Estes\u2019 band and orchestra compositions have also been designated as J.W. Pepper Editor\u2019s Choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A recipient of the National Band Association\u2019s Citation of Excellence, Estes\u2019 bands consistently earned Superior ratings at performance evaluations throughout her career, and middle and high school bands under her direction were selected as guest performers at clinics and conventions in the Southeast. Estes has also presented at state conventions, on college campuses, and at the Midwest Clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A South Florida native, Estes earned her bachelor\u2019s degree in music education from The Florida State University, and her master\u2019s degree in music education from Georgia State University. In addition to composing, she continues to serve as an adjudicator, guest conductor, clinician, and mentor. Estes and her husband Gil reside in Marietta, GA, and have 5 amazing children, along with a host of equally amazing grandchildren.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Nomination Form (will reopen in 2027)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">Instructions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Please fill out your Director Information first (below student section).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Under &#8220;Qty,&#8221; please select the total number of students you are nominating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Please fill out the form for each individual student in raking order. For example, <strong>nominate your strongest student first.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Please <em><strong>Do Not <\/strong><\/em>use the online payment option. We will send you an invoice with the reflecting the number of students accepted after the roster has been published.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><div id=\"SFctr\" class=\"SF\" data-org=\"30130\" data-ini=\"!event-register\/2026\/7\/17\/2025-kba-middle-level-honor-band\" data-fnd=\"Search\" data-scl=\"0\" data-out=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\" data-sfi=\"1\" style=\"position:relative;height:auto\"><div id=\"SFpne\" style=\"position:relative\"><div class=\"SFpne\">Loading&#8230;<\/div><\/div><div id=\"SFfin\" style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Double Tree by Hilton Wichita Airport \u2022 2098 S Airport Rd, Wichita, KS 67209<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/JaymeHayes.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jayme Hayes  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Middle Level Honor Band Co-Chair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"mailto:mlband@kansasbandmasters.com\" target=\"_blank\">band@kansasbandmasters.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1016\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1-1016x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-297 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1-1016x1024.png 1016w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1-298x300.png 298w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1-768x774.png 768w, https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/CourtneyNichols_Headshot-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Courtney Nichols<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\">Middle Level Honor Band Co-Chair<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><a href=\"mailto:mlband@kansasbandmasters.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mlband@kansasbandmasters.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>July 17, 2026 \u2013 Double Tree Hotel Airport, Wichita, KS The KBA Middle-Level Honor Band is an opportunity for students to participate in a top-level ensemble under the direction of a prominent conductor\/clinician.&nbsp; This unique summertime event allows band directors an opportunity to reward student progress and achievement, as well as provide students a wonderful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":109,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2909,"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/142\/revisions\/2909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kansasbandmasters.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}