Kilgore College Band

History

Organized in 1936, the Ranger Band is one of the most celebrated college bands in the nation, playing to standing ovations in Venezuela, Hong Kong, Macao, Korea and Romania, as well as the Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Shrine East-West Game, Kiwanis Bowl (Norfolk), and American All-Star Game (Tampa).

The 100-member marching band has also appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (six years), the Little Rose Bowl (Pasadena), the Eisenhower inaugural, and others. The 20-member Stage Band has performed at many national association conventions.

Both bands accompany the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes during their stadium, stage and convention performances. Together the two groups have traveled almost two million miles at home and abroad.

In Spring Concert, the Ranger Band has hosted such celebrity soloists as Doc Severinsen (two years), Rafael Mendez, Urbie Green and Henry Cuesta.

Ranger Band Official Alumni Association Former Kilgore College Band members now have an official alumni group to join to keep up with other former members and promote the band program.  Click here to visit the Ranger Band Alumni Association.

Marching
Band (MUSI 2121) is predominantly a marching band in the fall semester. The band performs at all home football games and generally at two or more out of town football games. The band also participates in several area Christmas parades, special events, and other performances in the immediate East Texas area.

Opportunities for travel have included a carnaval in Nice, France, Thanksgiving parades in Austin, Houston, Philadelphia, and most recently New York City, as well as a special performance in the upcoming year of January, 1 2000 at the Cotton Bowl game in Dallas. The year 2000 marks the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the Ranger Band and the Rangerettes in the Cotton Bowl.

The band is open to all student instrumentalists regardless of their major field of study.



Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 2125) is a select ensemble of standard jazz band instrumentation---five saxes, five trumpets, four trombones, bass and rhythm guitar, piano, and percussion.

Jazz Ensemble repertoire is inclusive of all 20th Century jazz, rock, & blues. Students are allowed solo and improvisatory opportunities. The Jazz Ensemble performs several concerts and guest performances across the East Texas area.

Brass Ensemble
The Brass Ensemble (MUSI 1134) is an instrumental ensemble of five to ten musicians comprised of only brass instruments. Rehearsals are flexible to fit the instrumentation of the ensemble. Participation in Brass Ensemble is through approval of the instructor, Wayne Smith, Kilgore College Band Director.


Repertoire for brass ensemble is inclusive of musical styles from Renaissance to Contemporary.


Scholarships
Band Scholarships are available to all qualified students by audition. Scholarship amounts vary based on the individual's musical ability, past musical accomplishments, and audition quality. For additional scholarship and/or audition materials, contact Wayne Smith, Band Director at Kilgore College at (903) 983-8272 or by email through this Web site.

Glenn Wells
Band Director
Phone: (903) 983-8272
gwells@kilgore.edu
Location: Masters Gymnasium/Band Hall (MGYM &BH)

4-18-2012