ASBDA Colorado

Next up in our series is ASBDA National President and Director of Bands at Grandview HS Keith Farmer!

Keith shares that he loves seeing the growth in his students through teaching band and the joy they get in making music. Outside of the classroom, he also loves to travel!

Join us in thanking Keith for his leadership and dedication to music education!

Register Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiNwG2UWuBdPlZHIK9e6IZUY2W7HtNH1J3jq1CpEWgh2qzlg/viewform

🎶 Calling all Colorado Band Students! 🎶

Registration is now OPEN for the Fourth Annual Colorado ASBDA Solo & Ensemble Festival!

This is open to all band students and directors in the state, not just ASBDA members!

When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Where: Ken Caryl Middle School, Littleton, CO
Deadline: March 20th

Highlights include:

8-minute performance slots with a short clinic from your adjudicator.
Medals for every student receiving a first- or second-division award.
Concessions and Kona Ice available throughout the day! 🍧

Registration Info:

Cost: $15.00 per solo event; ensembles are an extra $3 per member after the initial entry.

Payment: Accepted via Zelle ([email protected]), cash, or checks (payable to Ken Caryl Music Boosters).

Directors, sign your students up for their preferred time slots today! For questions, please contact Cathy Wahl at [email protected] or [email protected]

We are thrilled to announce our campaign! 🎺 This initiative is designed to highlight our amazing leaders, share the people behind the organization, and build deeper connections within the ASBDA community by introducing you to our Colorado officers.  

Today, we’re spotlighting Kevin Larsen, the Director of Bands at Creighton Middle School! Kevin serves as our Colorado State Chair, helping lead our mission to support band directors across the state.  

Kevin shares that teaching band provides an amazing opportunity to watch young people grow, both musically and as human beings. He loves watching students grow over the four years he has with them.

Outside of the classroom, did you know that Kevin has been a member of the Broomfield Symphony Orchestra for 15 years? He has also traveled to Havana, Cuba, to experience local music performed live!  

Join us in thanking Kevin for his leadership and dedication to music education!

From —

The concert band is more than a performance ensemble — it’s a 21st-century classroom. Through collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, students develop essential skills that prepare them for success far beyond the band room.

Music education builds leaders, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners.

Support and advocate for strong concert band programs in our schools.

— American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA)

The Montrose High School Advanced Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Sheridan Loyd (CO), performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association.

The Fountain-Fort Carson High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Joshua Race (CO), and the Fountain Middle School Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Nicholas Darpino (CO), performed at the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference.

🎶 ASBDA at CMEA 2026 🎶

Congratulations to these Outstanding ASBDA members whose ensembles were selected to perform—and whose expertise will be featured in sessions—at the 2026 Colorado Music Educators Association Convention! We’re incredibly proud to see ASBDA educators representing excellence in music education from across the state.

• Cathy Wahl (Ken Caryl MS) – Symphonic Band

• Kim Wilson-Paugh (Drake MS) with Bryce Melaragno – “EdSpeak for Music Teachers: Turning Buzzwords into Administrative Buy-In”

• Brian Ebert (Legacy HS) – Wind Ensemble

• Michael Windham (Westlake MS) & Andrew Holcombe (Euclid MS) – “Before the Method Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Successful Middle School Beginners”

• Nicolas Darpino (Fountain MS) – Symphonic Winds

• Josh Race (Fountain-Ft Carson HS) – Wind Ensemble

• Sheridan Loyd (Montrose HS) – Advanced Jazz Ensemble

• Michael Paulez (Denver School of the Arts) – Wind Ensemble

Thank you for inspiring students, colleagues, and our profession. Way to represent, ASBDA! 💙🎺🎼

ASBDA Colorado was proud to sponsor a brand new commissioned work for the Collegiate Peaks Honor Jazz event, coordinated by member Marti Bott

The event included performances by the Middle School Honor Jazz Band, led by ASBDA member Andrew Holcombe and featured the *world premiere* of "Mambo del Monte," composed by Drew Zaremba who lead the High School Honor Jazz Band

ASBDA Colorado is proud to support events like this that foster collaboration, elevate student experiences, and invest directly in new music and meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians across Colorado.

Congratulations to the Outstanding ASBDA Members whose ensembles have been chosen to perform or will be providing a session at the 2025 Colorado Music Educators Association Convention:

Cathy Wahl (Ken Caryl MS) - Symphonic Band
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 10:30am-11:00am - Broadmoor Hall B

Kim Wilson-Paugh (Drake MS) w/ Bryce Melaragno - “EdSpeak for Music Teachers: Turning Buzzwords into Administrative Buy-In”
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 11:00am-11:50am - Bartolin Hall 207/208/209

Brian Ebert (Legacy HS) - Wind Ensemble
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 12:00pm-12:45pm - Broadmoor Hall B

Michael Windham (Westlake MS) & Andrew Holcombe (Euclid MS) - “Before the Method Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Successful Middle School Beginners”
Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 4:00pm-4:50pm - Main - Theatre

Nicolas Darpino (Fountain MS) - Symphonic Winds
Friday, January 30, 2026 - 10:00am-10:30am - Broadmoor Hall B

Josh Race (Fountain Ft Carson HS) - Wind Ensemble
Friday, January 30, 2026 - 12:00pm-12:45pm - Broadmoor Hall B

Sheridan Lloyd (Montrose HS) - Advanced Jazz Ensemble
Friday, January 30, 2026 - 1:00pm-1:45pm - International Center

Michael Paulez (Denver School of the Arts) - Wind Ensemble
Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 11:00am-11:45am - Broadmoor Hall B