In the last month, the Larned High School band has proven that even though they are small in number they are a mighty force to be reckoned with, and they don’t get the recognition they deserve. 

Led by band president Jacob Colglazier and director Craig Lyman the band has 29 students ranging from freshmen to seniors. Many of the LHS students have come to recognize excitement in the air when the pep band accompanies an assembly or cheers on their fellow classmates during basketball and football games. 

In regards to state band senior Jacob Colglazier states, “My state band experience was very fun. […] Everyone played very well, and we almost all received one rating. I was very proud of everyone involved.” 

Matthew Figger is the first trumpet and while he had confidence in the band’s ability to do well he was very proud of the number one rating the band received at regionals and state. Figger stated, “I also had the opportunity to play in the brass quintet. We had started practicing a little later than I would have liked but we all pulled through and got a one rating at regionals and a two at state.” In fact, almost every Larned soloist or act that had performed at regionals was given the privilege of going to state band, and nearly every solo and ensemble at state band received one rating. 

It is not unusual for students to seek a music degree after leaving high school. This coming year Ella McNett plans to seek a degree in music education at Bethany College. When asked why she feels music is important in the experiences students have in high school, Ella responded with, “Music is important not just in high school but for every grade. Music is the foundation of most learning. […] Through music we learn our ABCs, prepositions, and much more. High school is a great time to express yourself and music is a wonderful outlet for that!”

Overall, the Larned music program has improved exponentially over the last year and we are excited to see what their future holds.