South Central Kansas Music Educators Association

The South Central Kansas Music Educators Association is proud to recognize Sophia McMillan from Wichita North High School as this year’s SCKMEA Winds/Percussion Scholarship recipient!

Sophia has demonstrated exceptional commitment to music and her school band program throughout high school — earning four consecutive SCKMEA Honor Ensemble selections, four years in the Senseney Community Band, university concert band clinic participation, and service as Drum Major for the Wichita North Marching Band — while also engaging in school and community service. She plans to major in athletic training and minor in music.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

SCKMEA awards $300 scholarships annually to outstanding students in each area of music study (choral, orchestra and winds/percussion). Graduating seniors may apply each year through the SCKMEA website.

Congratulations to Sophia on this well-earned recognition!

Award presented on March 11 by SCKMEA Vice President James Hollingsworth.

The South Central Kansas Music Educators Association is proud to recognize Alyanne Jones from Derby High School as this year’s SCKMEA Orchestra Scholarship recipient!

Alyanne has been very involved with orchestra at her school, holds leadership positions in many school and community musical ensembles, and plans to pursue a degree in violin performance in college.

SCKMEA awards $300 scholarships annually to outstanding students in each area of music study (choral, orchestra and winds/percussion). Graduating seniors may apply each year through the SCKMEA website.

Congratulations to Alyanne on this well-earned recognition!

Award presented on March 2 by SCKMEA Vice President James Hollingsworth.

See you at KMEA!

Listen to all of the SCKMEA performing ensembles at KMEA!

Dates, times and locations are listed below for your convenience.

You can also search the complete schedule here: https://isw.ksmea.org/?tab=schedule

Arkansas City High School Bulldog Jazz Ensemble, Chris VanGilder

Friday, February 27 @ 4:00PM in Hyatt E-H

Arkansas City High School Choir – Arkettes, Logan Caywood

Thursday, February 26 @ 4:35PM in MJT Theater

Augusta High School Concert Choir, Nicholas Franssen

Saturday, February 28 @8:00AM in MJT Theater

Buhler High School Choir, Kyler Comley

Friday, February 27 @8:00AM in MJT Theater

Butler Community College Percussion Ensemble, Kim Trujillo

Thursday, February 26 @1:35PM in Hyatt E-H

Derby High School Madrigals, Tyler Morris

Friday, February 27 @3:00PM in MJT Theater

Derby North Middle School Choir – Millennium Falcons, Rebecca Beard

Friday, February 27 @8:55AM in MJT Theater

Friends University Chamber Orchestra, Canes Nicolas

Thursday, February 26 @12:25 in 203 Birch

Friends University Flute Choir, Amy Hoffman

Saturday, February 28 @8:05AM in 203 Birch

Friends University Jazz Combo – Soulstice, Nick Schroeder

Friday, February 27 @8:05AM in Hyatt E-H

Goddard High School Percussion Group, Micah Bolton

Friday, February 27 @11:00AM in Hyatt E-H

Lindsborg Smoky Valley High School Viking Concert Band, Adam Keller

Friday, February 27 @9:15AM in Concert Hall

McPherson High School Jazz Choir – Vita Voce, Nicholas Griggs

Friday, February 27 @3:00PM in Hyatt E-H

Sterling High School Concert Band, Abigail Giles

Friday, February 27 @10:20AM in Concert Hall

Wichita Community Children’s Choir, Jill Wiechman

Friday, February 27 @4:05PM in MJT Theater

Wichita Symphony Youth Chamber Players, Catherine Tummon

Friday, February 27 @8:05AM in Concert Hallrday

KMEA ISW

The South Central Kansas Music Educators Association is proud to recognize Sydney Roelfs of Sterling High School as this year’s SCKMEA Choral Scholarship recipient.

Sydney was selected through a competitive review process that considers academic achievement, school and community musical involvement, teacher recommendation, and a student essay. Her work in and beyond the classroom reflects the kind of commitment and musicianship our region values and works to cultivate.

SCKMEA awards $300 scholarships annually to outstanding students in each area of music study (choral, orchestra and winds/percussion). Graduating seniors may apply each year through the SCKMEA website.

Congratulations to Sydney on this well-earned recognition!

Congratulations to all the students participating today as members of the SCKMEA Mixed Choir and Treble Choir (hosted at Maize South High School) and 1234A Band, 56A Band and Orchestra (hosted st Maize High School)!

Instrumental students will become eligible to audition for the All-State ensembles on January 17 at Salina South High School, at the conclusion of today’s concerts.

Vocal and instrumental students selected for the All-State ensembles will perform on February 28 at Century II in Wichita.

SCKMEA is proud to recognize Nina Kindt-Wilson as the Outstanding Elementary Music Educator for 2025–2026.

Mrs. Kindt-Wilson has been a constant source of music and joy for students at OK Elementary (Wichita USD259) and throughout Wichita for more than thirty years. Kids step into her room ready to make music, and they leave feeling seen, capable, and excited to come back.

Her reach extends well beyond her own classroom. Many elementary music teachers have learned from her, leaned on her, or were mentored by her at some point in their own careers. Colleagues talk about her willingness to help, her steady presence, and the way she consistently strengthens the people around her. Mrs. Kindt-Wilson has also been a strong advocate for music in our schools through her service as a mentor teacher, an honor choir clinician, and presenter of professional development sessions for fellow teachers.

This honor reflects a legacy shaped by thousands of small moments—lessons, rehearsals, conversations—woven together by a passion for teaching children through music.

Please join us in celebrating Nina Kindt-Wilson on this well-deserved recognition.

SCKMEA is proud to recognize Ms. Dawn Blue as the 2025–2026 Honor Administrator for the South Central Kansas Music Educators Association.

Ms. Blue has built a career rooted in music, spending 19 years as a choir teacher before moving into leadership roles as an assistant principal and activities director at Haysville Middle School, and now as principal at Oatville Elementary, Haysville USD261. With her background in the arts- she understands the work, values the staff who do it, and ensures students have real opportunities to grow through music and the fine arts.

Colleagues describe her as steady, committed, and deeply supportive of both teachers and students. They note her presence at concerts, festivals, after-school programs and events outside of the school. They appreciate how she removes barriers and provides equitable access to funding, advocates for programs and empowers staff to pursue innovative programming to enhance student experiences. Her leadership in the Haysville district has helped build strong, active music programs where over 70% of students participate in a music class.

Ms. Blue’s musical impact extends beyond the classroom, having previously served as SCKMEA Middle School Honor Choir Chair, participating in the Friends University Alumni Choir, and serving as an active music and handbell director at University Friends Church.

Please join us in congratulating Ms. Dawn Blue on this well-earned honor!

Haysville Public Schools

SCKMEA is proud to recognize Chris VanGilder as the SCKMEA Outstanding High School Music Educator for 2025–2026.

Mr. VanGilder has devoted 35 years to teaching, including 27 years leading the band program at Arkansas City High School. His duties include teaching all aspects of a comprehensive band program from marching band and concert band to jazz band, pep band and chamber ensembles.

His colleagues describe his classroom as a place where students learn to meet high expectations, take pride in their work, and grow into confident, capable young adults. They speak of his calm consistency, his deep commitment to kids, and the way he helps students discover what they can achieve when they push through challenges. Parents and former students also note his impact, sharing that he teaches not only musicianship, but responsibility, leadership, and respect.

One colleague wrote that Mr. VanGilder’s ability to support, mentor, and guide students has strengthened the entire music community of Arkansas City. Another shared that he is patient, well-prepared, and dedicated, creating a program where students feel valued and supported. Many commented on how rewarding it is to watch students grow year after year under his direction—from their first steps in middle school band to the confidence they show on the high-school stage.

Outside the classroom, Mr. VanGilder has led the Arkansas City Community Band for 15 years, directing musicians of all ages in concerts at Wilson Park each summer.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Chris VanGilder on this well-earned honor!

SCKMEA is proud to recognize Jayme Hayes as the SCKMEA Outstanding Middle School Music Educator for 2025–2026.

Jayme has served Wichita Public Schools for many years and has built a strong, thriving music program at Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School. Her colleagues describe her classroom as a place where students love to make music and feel empowered to carry their learning beyond the band room. They also speak to her steady commitment, her work ethic, and the pride she brings to her school community.

One colleague noted that her leadership, passion, and consistency have strengthened every aspect of music program in her school. Another shared that she gives everything she has to her students, her program, and to music education throughout South Central Kansas.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Hayes serves in multiple leadership roles within South Central KMEA (Middl School Honor Band Chair, Advocacy Chair) and the Kansas Bandmasters Association (Middle Level Honor Band Chair). She was also recognized nationally as a 2022 Yamaha “40 Under 40” honoree.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Jayme Hayes on this well-earned honor!

Today was the first of eight South Central KMEA Honor Ensemble performances for the 2025-2026 school year. Congratulations to all of the elementary honor choir students who participated today!

Congratulations to all of the groups selected to perform for the 2026 KMEA In-Service Workshop- several South Central-based ensembles were selected!

Selected Groups – KMEA Performance Group concerts by invited schools, as well as the Intercollegiate concert, are free and open to the public. Concert attendees are requested to obtain Guest passes at Registration in Expo Hall during the following times: — FRI 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM — SAT 8:00 – 10:00 AM — Guest pass...