Band (MUEN 2121) is predominantly a marching band in the fall semester. The band is open to all student instrumentalists regardless of their major field of study. Organized in 1936, the Ranger Band is one of the most celebrated college bands in the nation, playing to standing ovations in Venezuela, France, 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, Fla.).
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.
Below are other musical ensembles students can join:
The Kilgore College Wind Symphony (MUEN 2122) meets during the spring semester each year, performing a wide variety of symphonic and popular music literature for concert band. The ensemble presents two major performances during the semester and provides a musical outlet for students who enjoy performing on the concert stage.
Jazz Ensemble (MUEN 2125) is a select ensemble featuring standard jazz band instrumentation. Repertoire includes 20th-century jazz, rock and blues. Students have solo and improvisational opportunities, and the ensemble performs concerts and guest appearances across East Texas.
The Percussion Ensemble meets twice weekly following regular band class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. The ensemble performs at concerts and special events, showcasing a variety of percussion literature and ensemble works.
Scholarships and competitive waivers for in-district tuition are available to music majors and non-majors. Auditions are available for band scholarships.
For wind instruments, students will be asked to demonstrate playing scales in various octaves. Students auditioning should prepare an etude from a solo and ensemble list. Preferred selections include any year of high school region audition etudes. Percussionists should select two areas — snare drum, timpani, mallets or drum set — to demonstrate their abilities.
Students interested in auditioning for the Kilgore College Ranger Band should email Chris Clifton, director of bands.
Apply online below for the Ranger Band.
Kilgore College will host the KC Invitational Wind Symphony on Feb. 19–20, 2027.
Students in grades 9-12 participating in high school band programs are invited to rehearse and perform at Kilgore College as part of this special event under the direction of Chris Clifton, director of bands.
Rehearsals will be held Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027, on the Kilgore College campus, culminating in a concert performance for family and friends.
Additional details will be announced soon. High school band directors will be contacted to nominate and select students for participation in the ensemble.
For more information, please contact Chris Clifton at cclifton@kilgore.edu.