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Wind Symphony 2 to perform at IMEA Conference

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CHS Wind Symphony 2 to perform at State Music Educator Conference

The Carmel High School Band Department is happy to announce that the CHS Wind Symphony 2 has been invited to perform as a ‘featured ensemble’ at the Indiana Music Educator Association Professional Development Conference in January of 2016 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Over 900 music educators attend this conference each year from Indiana. As a featured ensemble, Wind Symphony 2 will perform for Band Directors from around the state, college music education students and of course, for family and friends of the program. Former performing groups include Lawrence Central HS Wind Ensemble, Penn HS Wind Ensemble, Carmel HS Wind Symphony 1 just to name a few.  Wind Symphony 2 is the first “second band” in the history of performing bands at this conference to be invited as a ‘featured group.” Mr. Kyle Young and Mr. Chris Kreke conduct Wind Symphony 2 at CHS.

Associate Director of Bands, Kyle Young and one of the conductors of the ensemble said, “We are very excited for this opportunity for the students of Wind Symphony 2 to perform as a featured group at the Indiana Music Education Association Convention in January.  This is a first for the Carmel Band program and a huge accomplishment of those students were part of the ensemble last year and submitted the recording.  The preparation for this performance will be very rigorous, but we look forward to sharing in this journey together!”

CHS Director of Bands, Michael Pote, said, “Carmel Bands is extremely proud of CHS Wind Symphony 2’s invitation to perform at the Indiana Music Educator Association’s State convention in January. The honor of performing for music educators from all over the state of Indiana is an honor usually attributed to only  the top bands from Indiana high school band programs – to have a “second” band be invited is a first for the convention and a testament to the talent and hard work of Carmel High School students and staff.”

About the Indiana Music Educators Association

Indiana Music Education Association (IMEA) is a not-for-profit professional membership organization for music teachers, kindergarten through collegiate levels. Membership is currently around 1100 active teachers, with approximately 100 retired members, and 700 collegiate members (who are music education majors). IMEA provides professional development opportunities for music teachers, as well as extracurricular performance and learning opportunities for Indiana music students.

Other IMEA projects: annual professional development conference for music teachers – continuing renewal units and graduate credit possible; all-state experiences – Children’s Honor Choir, Middle School Honor Choir, Honor Band, Future Music Educators Colloquium; IMEA sponsors two workshops for beginning music teachers and a quarterly state journal, INfORM.

Carmel Clay Schools – Best Community for Music Education

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Carmel Clay Schools Celebrates Nationally Recognized Music Program

Carmel, Indiana – The NAMM Foundation has named Carmel Clay Schools among the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States.

On, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, Dr. Nick Wahl, Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools received the special certificate from Mr. Steve Purcell, District Manager for Paige’s Music of Indianapolis during one of the ‘in class’ concerts given by the high school band program.  Paige’s Music is a local member of NAMM.  The National Association of Music Merchants sponsors this prestigious award each year through the NAMM Foundation. 

Carmel Clay Schools been named one of 388 school districts in the nation as a Best Community for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. The district is recognized for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive music education for all students.

The Best Communities for Music Education survey acknowledges and celebrates schools and districts, their administrators, teachers, board members, parents and students across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education. Participants in the survey answer detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and other factors in the community that affect access to music education for all students. More than 2,000 schools districts / schools participated in the survey.

In completing the survey for the award, Mr. Soo Han, Director of Orchestras and Department Chair of the William H Duke Center for the Performing Arts at Carmel High School, said, “We are so fortunate to have the finest elementary and middle school music teachers in the entire country. Each teacher’s approach and style of teaching students is unique and varied, but at the core are practices based in world class pedagogy and love and passion for kids.  What we accomplish at the high school level would never be possible without our amazing elementary and middle schools teachers.”

About The NAMM Foundation:

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its nearly 9,200 members around the world. The Foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

Wind Symphony 1 – ISSMA State Champion

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Carmel’s Top Band Earns 2015 ISSMA State Championship

On Saturday, May 9th, The Carmel High School Wind Symphony 1 earned the 2015 Indiana State School Music Association Concert Band State Championship title with an incredibly memorable performance!  The literature performed by the concert band included:  “The Screamer March” by Fred Jewell/ed. Kopetz,   “Archangel, Raphael who leaves a House of Tobias” by Masanori Taruya and “Southern Harmony” by Donald Grantham. Recordings of each composition, made during the competition, may be found on the Carmel Bands YouTube channel.

Following the competition, Carmel Director of Bands, Michael Pote, composed the following letter to the students, families and colleagues:

Dear Students, Families and colleagues,

The Carmel Band Family is extremely proud of Wind Symphony 1’s State Championship performance on Saturday, May 9. The student’s efforts during the past few months to prepare for this event have been inspiring. The challenge of the literature chosen for this group was formidable and the students rose to the challenge! Their final performance on the stage at Lawrence Central was an emotional and exciting effort. The ultimate goal is not a bigger trophy but a performance that they will remember and take with them for a long time after they have moved on from Carmel high school.

It is also important to recognize the parents that have been supportive of their young musicians effort since the very first day they started playing an instrument. Their support of the arts, along with our incredible team of middle school band directors, have allowed the entire high school band program to create memorable performances for many years.

These kinds of accolades truly are the result of a “village” of people working together to create opportunities for young musicians.

Sincerely,

Michael Pote

Director of Bands

Three highly respected conductors adjudicated the 16 finalist bands. Those 16 bands qualified for the competition during the previous weekend where 53 bands started the competition.  The judges included:  Mr. Gary Markham, Retired Supervisor of Instrumental Music, Cobb County Schools, Marietta, GA, Dr. Cody Birdwell, Director of Bands, University of Kentucky, Mr. Eric Rombach-Kendall, Director of Bands, University of New Mexico.

Carmel Associate Director of Bands, Kyle Young said, ““We couldn’t be more proud of musicians in Wind Symphony 1. These students have worked together the entire year to push the ensemble to new heights.  No matter the demand of literature, the extra hours of rehearsing, the students continuously rose to the occasion and that was represented Saturday in their performance.  The one constant goal we had was to give a performance that was not only technically thrilling, but also creating an emotional connection, together and with the audience.  They achieved this goal and went beyond our expectations!  This will be a performance that will not be forgotten by the students, directors and parents in attendance.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 31-year history of ISSMA concert band championships, this is the first year there was a tie for First place.  Carmel shares the championship with Penn High School from Mishawaka, Indiana.

The Carmel Wind Symphony 1 has performed in 22 of the total 31 ISSMA State Finals competitions. Of the 22 years, Carmel placed in the top five, 15 of those years with championships coming in 1999, 2013 and now 2015.  For more information on Carmel Bands, go to: www.carmelbands.org

ISSMA STATE CONCERT BAND FINALS PLACINGS

State Champion – Carmel
State Champion – Penn, Mishawaka
3rd Place – Avon
4th Place – North Central, Indianapolis
5th Place – Goshen
6th Place – Columbus North
7th Place – Lawrence Central, Indianapolis
8th Place – Castle, Newburgh
Finalist – Bloomington North
Finalist – Concord, Elkhart
Finalist – Floyd Central, Floyds Knobs
Finalist – Hamilton Southeastern, Fishers
Finalist – Jasper
Finalist – Lafayette Jefferson
Finalist – Munster
Finalist – Warren Central, Indianapolis

About ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association)

The mission of the Indiana State School Music Association, Inc. is to provide educationally evaluated music performance activities for the students and teachers of the State of Indiana; to assist in the development of performance oriented assessment of state and national musical academic standards, and to offer educational support to fulfill this mission. For more information on ISSMA, go to:  http://www.issma.net

 

Creekside Band Director to Present Clinic

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CREEKSIDE MS BAND DIRECTOR SELECTED TO PRESENT SESSION

AT MIDWEST INTERNATIONAL BAND & ORCHESTRA CLINIC

Carmel, Indiana – Mr. Christopher J. Grifa, Co-Director of Bands at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana has been selected to present a clinic at the prestigious Midwest International Band & Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois to be held on December 16-19, 2015.  Selected from hundreds of applicants, Mr. Grifa will present his clinic “Achieving Your Ensemble Sound; it’s Fundamental!” to conference attendees.   When asked about the emphasis of his clinic, Mr. Grifa said, “I am deeply honored and excited to be invited to present my session at the 69th annual Midwest Clinic in December. The incredible music educators who present at The Midwest Clinic each year inspire me, and it means the world to me that I will have the opportunity to pay forward what the clinic has given me throughout my career.”

In his 11th year of teaching, Mr. Grifa co-directs all of the bands at Creekside Middle School along with Ms. Wendy Higdon. He is a sought after clinician for young bands, high school bands, marching bands and Drum Corp International Drum and Bugle Corps all across the nation.  As an author, Mr. Grifa has been published in INform Magazine (published by the Indiana Music Education Association) with an article on using technology in the music classroom.  He is currently scheduled to publish an article in “The Instrumentalist”, a world-renowned music education publication in the summer of 2015.  Mr. Grifa resides in Westfield, Indiana with his wife, Suzy, and puppy, Mickey!

About Creekside MS Bands

Creekside Middle School consistently produces some of the best young bands in the nation year after year. The Creekside Wind Symphony was a “Rehearsal Lab” Band at the 2014 Indiana Music Educators Association Conference and a featured performance band at the 2013 IMEA conference. 

The Creekside Wind Symphony performed at the 2013 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as a featured band.  While at Midwest in 2013, the Creekside Wind Symphony also was a “Rehearsal Lab” band for Ms. Linda Gammon, a renowned band educator from Virginia.  Mr. Grifa’s ensembles have consistently received Gold Awards, including several “Gold with Distinction” Awards at the Indiana State School Music Association Organizational Contests.

About Midwest International Band & Orchestra Conference

What began as 120 music directors meeting for six hours in a Chicago YWCA gym has now become the annual four-day band and orchestra conference known as The Midwest Clinic: An International Band and Orchestra Conference. For the past 67 years, musicians, educators and people passionate about music education of all skill levels have gathered in Chicago for the largest music conference of its kind.

With more than 17,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 30 countries, The Midwest Clinic offers guests interested in music education an array of clinics and exhibits, as well as access to music and teaching icons. The conference will also focus on industry trends and future topics in business and music education.  For more information, please visit: www.midwestclinic.org

World Guard wins WGI Indy Regional!

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Carmel Winter Guard Wins WGI Indy Regional

Congratulations to the Carmel World Guard on their first place finish at the WGI Indianapolis Regional at Warren Central this weekend! The girls had two incredible performances of their show and took the highest honors in their class. 

This year’s show is titled, “OMEGA” with music from “Fratres for Cello and Piano” by Arvo Part.  Director Rosie Queen said, “Our Carmel Guard ladies rose to the challenge of performing in front of great crowds at Warren Central.  The girls came out for Prelims and did a nice job, but took the show to the next level by an amazing finals performance on Sunday!“

 

 

“We had some amazing competition this weekend from schools all over the mid-west.  All of our competitors this weekend make up half of the 15 WGI finalists that will be at World Championships in April,” said Queen.

WGI Indianapolis Regional Finals Scores

 In Scholastic World

 1. Carmel HS (Carmel, Indiana) 84.100

2. Avon HS (Avon, Indiana) 79.700

3. Warren Central HS (Indianapolis, Indiana) 79.300

4. Miamisburg HS (Miamisburg, Ohio) 74.200

5. Norwin HS (North Huntingdon, PA) 72.300

6. Center Grove HS (Greenwood, Indiana) 71.300

7. Lake Central HS (St. John, Indiana) 69.300

Other class scores may be found at www.wgi.org.

The Carmel Winter Guard has won over a dozen WGI regional championships in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Muncie and Nashville.  A one time WGI Open Class National Champion and  two-time Scholastic World Class National Champion, the Carmel Guard will continue to look forward to fine tuning and developing the show in the weeks ahead as the season progresses.

The Carmel Winter Guard has won over a dozen WGI regional championships in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Dayton, Muncie and Nashville.  A one time WGI Open Class National Champion and  two-time Scholastic World Class National Champion, the Carmel Guard will continue to look forward to fine tuning and developing the show in the weeks ahead as the season progresses.

A perennial state finalist in the IHSCGA State Finals Winter Guard competition, Carmel will compete this year for its sixth CONSECUTIVE State Championship.

The World Guard performs next at State Prelims on Saturday, March 7th,  at Mooresville High School. For more information on this performance, go to: http://www.ihscga.org

Unfortunately, our “A” and JV guards had to cancel their shows this past weekend because of early start times and weather problems. They will both be performing next weekend , February 28th at Northview H.S. Come cheer them on!  For more information on this performance, go to: http://www.ihscga.org

In the Cards: The Story of the 2014 Marching Greyhounds

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In the Cards:

The Story of the 2014 CHS Marching Greyhounds

The 2014 CHS Marching Band traditional year-end video is a work in progress: Short inspirational segments are focusing on the stories that make up one amazing experience for each of the students, staff and parents involved in this year’s production: In the Cards.

The stories are produced and directed by Jeff Young, the Marching Greyhound Visual Coordinator and owner of Dynamic Marching, a video production company that specializes in video instruction for high school bands. Jeff is a former CHS drum major (1990), whose father was the unofficial band videographer and photographer, and Jeff’s inspiration for this project.

A group of awesome parent volunteers has contributed to the shooting and editing of video:  The stories will be combined into one multi-segment year-end video, which can be ordered at the Band Banquet on November  19th and delivered by January 30th.

 

 

 

 

 

The First Time

235 students embarked on a 10-week journey in August to learn what they’re made of. Hear the first-time experiences of some of this year’s staff and students, leading up to the band’s first performance of In the Cards at Fishers High School on September 13, 2014. Can they achieve the goals they’ve set for themselves?

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Letter to Mom and Dad

Written and narrated by third year member, Annie Leer, this letter is to ALL the Marching Greyhound parents who have invested along with their students in the passion that is Carmel    Marching Band. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad.

 

 

 

 

 

Band is Fun

Why do we do Marching Band? Written and narrated by Drum Major Abby Zetzl, the answer is simple: “Every time we don that uniform, we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves. And, you know what? That’s pretty fun” 

 

 

 

 

 

Put on a Uniform

What is it like to wear a uniform? What does it mean to wear the uniform of the Carmel Marching Greyhounds? Want to feel a part of something bigger than yourself? Put on a Uniform.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance starts with Preparation 

This is the fifth documentary video in our series on the Carmel Marching Greyhounds. This video is especially for parents and others who never get to see “behind the scenes” on what it is like to go through the warm-up sequence at a Bands of America event. This was shot specifically at the BOA Indy Super Regional 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditions 

Traditions are a very important part of what we do!  This is our 6th video documentary segment following the Carmel High School Marching Band. This is a longer video than usual… It is hard to capture the many traditions of this group in a shorter one! Filmed and directed by James Lipe (CHS band parent). Edited by Jeff Young with Narration by Isaac Andrews (Baritone Senior).

CONGRATULATIONS 2014 WORLD GUARD!

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CHS WORLD GUARD WINS SILVER MEDAL AT WGI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

On April 2-5, the CHS World Guard competed in the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, OH.  Congratulations to our World Guard for capturing the Silver medal in the Scholastic World Class, which is the top competitive class in Winter Guard for high school students.  Their show, “Gunslingers” received standing ovations after each their performance in the three rounds of competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosie Queen, director of the World Guard said, “Our girls rose to the challenge of this years “Gunslinger” show each weekend.  It was fun to see them take on a super aggressive role and show their strength and beauty in a more relentless way.  Their confidence and performance abilities are what really wowed the audiences all year. I am incredibly proud of these girls and have watched them grow into strong young women this season–hopefully a lesson they will take with them forever.  We will miss the seniors so much and are incredibly thankful for their dedication and sacrifice they have given to this team for years.”

Shannon Roberts, one of our Seniors, also received a WGI Scholarship at the World Championships this year.  Shannon is a remarkable leader, who is so incredible selfless and passionate.  She has poured her heart into our program for years—it couldn’t go to a more deserving person! Congratulations Shannon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Winter Guard International (WGI)

WGI Sport of the Arts is the world’s premier organization producing indoor color guard and percussion ensemble competitions.  As a non-profit youth organization, WGI serves as the leading governing body of the winter guard and indoor percussion activities. It is called the Sport of the Arts because it brings music to life through performance in a competitive format. Now entering its 37th year, the sport continues to evolve and grow.  There were more than 36,000 participants at the regional level, and more than 12,000 participants at the Sport of the Arts World Championships this past April.

 

2013 Carmel Marching Band Community Night

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SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 27, 2013  CARMEL MARCHING COMMUNITY NIGHT.

BUY CAR RAFFLE TICKET NOW!

Tickets Sold – 1,194!  Only 1 more day until the Grand Prize Drawing. Don’t Wait!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Annual Taste of the Trucks Brings Indy Food Trucks Back to Carmel for CHS Band’s Community Night Sept. 27; Car Raffle Winner to be Announced

Many of Indy’s favorite food trucks will be coming back to Carmel on Friday, September 27 from 5-8pm, as part of the Carmel High School Marching Band’s annual Community Night: Taste of the Trucks Carmel. The event will be held at the CHS Football Stadium on 136th Street in the west parking lot. At 8pm, the 2012 Grand National Champion Marching Greyhounds will take the field to perform this year’s program, “Totem.” The evening also includes the drawing for the winner of the band’s 2013 Rose Parade Raffle to win a car from Dreyer & Reinbold BMW & Mini. According to Mr. Chris Kreke, Associate Director of Bands and Director of the CHS Marching Band, “Community Night is one of our landmark events each fall.  It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to show off the hard work the students have done preparing for our fall competitive season, highlight our upcoming trip to the Tournament of Roses parade, and thank the community for their support.”

“Foodie” favorites including, Scratch, Neighborhood Pizza, Chef Dan’s, Groovy Guys Fries, Caveman Truck, Johnson’s BBQ Shack, Der Pretzel Wagon, MacGenie, Kona Ice, NY Slice, Hoosier Fat Daddy, Taco Lassi, Bub’s Burgers, Tacos Without Borders, Ernie’s Grill, Cooking Greek, and Carmel’s newest truck, SoHo To Go will be participating in the Third Annual Taste of the Trucks Carmel.

The evening will also include music by a local DJ and the CHS Parent Pep Band, along with activities for kids of all ages, including a cake walk, dunk tank and more. Proceeds will benefit the CHS Marching Greyhounds, including their upcoming trip to march in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA, in January 2014. Entry to the Taste of the Trucks area will be $5.00 per person at the event, with kids six and under admitted for free.

Car Raffle tickets will be on sale, if still available, for $100 each up until the time of the drawing. Details and advance purchase of tickets can be found at www.carmelbands.org.

“Community Night is one of our landmark events each fall,” CHS Band Director Chris Kreke said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to show off the hard work the students have done preparing for our fall competitive season, highlight our upcoming trip to the Tournament of Roses parade, and thank the community for their support.”

In Bands of America Competitions throughout the years, the CHS band has won numerous awards, including: BOA National Class AAA Champion in 2001; National Finalist every year since 1996; 2012 and 2005 BOA National Champion; and Regional Champion at Toledo, St. Louis, Oxford, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Louisville, and Kettering, Ohio Regional Competitions. The Carmel High School Marching Greyhounds have won Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Marching Band Championships in 2012, 2002, 2001 and 1991.

The CHS Marching Band has performed in the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; the 2004 London New Year’s Parade; and on the USS Missouri with Hawaii’s Royal Band in 2007. As the 2012 Bands of America Grand National Champions, the band will perform in the Rose Parade in Pasadena on January 1, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUY CAR RAFFLE TICKET NOW!

Carmel Marching Band Car Wash on June 29th

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CHS Marching Band Car Wash June 29th

The Annual Carmel High School Marching Band Car Wash will be held on June 29 from 9am – 3pm in the West Parking Lot in front of the high school at Main Street and 4th Ave. in Carmel.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on the day of the event or in advance from any Marching Band member or you may purchase car wash tickets online at: CAR WASH TICKETS

The popular car wash raises funds to supplement the band programs at Carmel High School, including the Marching Band’s January 2014 participation in the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Last year, over 500 Cars were washed!

Carmel Bands welcome Mr. Kyle Young!

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Please welcome Mr. Kyle Young as the new Associate Director of Bands at Carmel High School.  Mr. Young fills the position left vacant by Mr. Michael Pote, as Pote was named Director of Bands in early April.  As a new Associate Director of Bands at Carmel, Mr. Young will conduct multiple concert bands, a jazz ensemble and will assist with the Marching Greyhounds as well as direct the basketball pep bands.

Mr. Soo Han, Director of Orchestras and Chairman of the William H. Duke Center fo rthe Perfoming Arts said, “One will quickly learn when reading Mr. Young’s extensive list of accomplishments, what a distinguished educator we are so fortunate to be gaining in our performing arts department. One cannot gain from reading his bio is what an incredibly kind, warm, and caring human being Mr. Young is.  I could tell immediately, that based on his positive energy, Mr.Young is someone who will truly care about our kids and make them the center of everything that he does.  I’m ecstatic about Mr.Young joining our CHS Performing Arts family and I look forward to our collaboration and friendship.”

On hiring Mr. Young, Mr. Pote said, “As most people would imagine, there were many great candidates interested in coming to the Carmel Band Program. Mr. Young stood out as an incredibly gifted musician and educator. He is an accomplished saxophone performer as well as conductor. His experience includes teaching middle school and high school age students and at all levels he has created amazing sounding ensembles. The Carmel Band Family will immediately benefit from Kyle’s skills!”

Mr. Young comes to Carmel High School from the Mason City School District in Mason Ohio.  His responsibilities at Mason included directing middle school concert bands, jazz bands, instructed woodwind and brass courses as well as served as the district woodwind specialist.  He also severed as assistant director of the nationally recognized William Mason Marching Band.

The Mason Band is one of only fourteen programs internationally to have received both the Sudler Flag of Honor and the Sudler Shield.  These awards are administered by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and are considered to be the highest honors that a band program can receive for excellence in concert band as well as marching band. The William Mason Marching Band has been named a Bands of America Regional Class Champion, Regional Champion and National Finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

Mr. Young is a graduate of Wright State University in which he graduated cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He received his Masters Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He was named the 2013 Outstanding Alumni of Wright State University. As a saxophonist, he has performed with the Dayton Philharmonic Concert Band and the Sinclair Wind Symphony. As a college student, Mr. Young toured nationally for a summer as a trumpet performer with the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Young is a professional member of the National Association for Music Education, the Golden Key International Honor Society, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Please welcome Mr. Kyle Young and his wife, Kelly to the Carmel Bands family.

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