Middle School Band
2026-27
Ethan Wagoner
Ethan Wagoner is in his 12th year of teaching and serves as the Director of Bands at Derby Middle School, as well as an assistant band director at Derby High School in Derby, KS. Prior to this position, Wagoner served as a band director in the Buhler School District in Buhler, KS.
Wagoner is originally from McPherson, KS, and earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kansas State University in 2015, as well as his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas in 2020.
In 2023, Wagoner was selected as the USD 260 secondary nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year. He also was nominated and featured in School Band and Orchestra + Magazine as the Kansas representative for 50 Music Teachers who Make a Difference.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Wagoner is also an active composer and performer. Wagoner is commissioned each year to compose and arrange works for marching band, concert band, and percussion ensemble throughout the country. Wagoner also performs regularly in Wichita with the Wichita Wind Symphony.
Wagoner’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Bandmasters Association (KBA) and Percussive Arts Society (PAS).
Wagoner is originally from McPherson, KS, and earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kansas State University in 2015, as well as his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Kansas in 2020.
In 2023, Wagoner was selected as the USD 260 secondary nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year. He also was nominated and featured in School Band and Orchestra + Magazine as the Kansas representative for 50 Music Teachers who Make a Difference.
In addition to teaching, Mr. Wagoner is also an active composer and performer. Wagoner is commissioned each year to compose and arrange works for marching band, concert band, and percussion ensemble throughout the country. Wagoner also performs regularly in Wichita with the Wichita Wind Symphony.
Wagoner’s professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA), Kansas Bandmasters Association (KBA) and Percussive Arts Society (PAS).
Sep. 1 - Distribute audition excerpts
Oct. 1 - Audition uploading begins
Nov. 11 - Audition Upload Deadline, 11:59:59 PM - Late entries are not possible. - $5 audition fee per completed audition
TBA - Judging ends
TBA - Roster published
Jan. 9 - Clinic & Concert @ Chanute HS - $15 participation fee per selected student
Fees
Use the SEKMEA Invoice Generator to create your fee invoices. An invoice print-out must be included with each payment. Make checks payable to Southeast KMEA.
Audition Registration
Auditions for SEKMEA Middle School Band are submitted by directors via the Festival Scores audition management system. Directors should watch this short FS tutorial video.
Audition Event Tag
Directors will need to activate the following tag in their Festival Scores account:
TBA
Audition Excerpts
2026-27 Audition Excerpts will be posted here when ready.
Audition Cuts
2026-27 Audition Cuts will be posted here when ready.
Judging
Participating directors are expected to assist with judging. Update your director profile in Festival Scores with your areas of expertise. This will help identify directors for judging each section, which will be assigned by the chair.
Dress Attire
Students may wear school clothing for rehearsals. Facilities will be available to change before the concert. All clothing must follow your school's dress code. Concert Dress is as follows:
Ladies: Dresses/Skirts/Slacks and nice shirt (no jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes)
Men: Slacks and Dress Shirt/Sweater, tie is optional (no jeans, t-shirts or tennis shoes)
Student Checklist
- Sheet music with measures numbered
- Pencil for marking the music
- Money for lunch or a sack lunch. (Please encourage students to bring smaller bills to purchase their lunch.)
- Water in a closeable container. (No pop is allowed in the music room or gyms.)
- Concert attire.
- A positive attitude and desire to have a great day making music with others!