Music

By Kara Sewell (WICHITA, Kan.) "Hard work just comes naturally to them," says Bret Goter. It takes a lot of work to sound as good as the 7th grade band class at Wilbur Middle School. "My ultimate goal is that these kids learn how to play an instrument and that they will play for the rest of their life," says Goter. Band director, Bret Goter is the man behind the music at Wilbur Middle School. He works with his students everyday. "When they start out as beginners and they're squeaking and squawking and they don't know any of the notes until the last concert of the year when they're playing full band arrangements of songs," says Goter.

By Michael Schwanke (WICHITA, Kan.) Monday night the Wichita School Board shared results from its "Board Night Out" event last week.  About 1,000 community members participated in the event. Board members wanted feedback from the community before any cuts are made.  Community members used the districts "value list" to tell the board what they value most. Overall, the most popular was music.  It ranked at the top of the middle school list, and was among the most popular for elementary and high schools.

(WICHITA, Kan.) If you're a country music fan, you knew two of the biggest names in the industry were in Wichita Friday night: Reba McEntire and George Strait. It's one of several country acts booked for the first six months of the Intrust Bank Arena's inaugural year. Which has music lovers of other genres wondering, what about hip-hop? Jay Z comes up in rotation on Power 93.9 at least once a day. The rapper is a star of the hip-hop industry. But the closest you'll get to hearing him in Wichita is on the radio.

By Dave Roberts (WICHITA, Kan.) While it's not happening in Canada, most of the United States is getting pounded by winter weather. But here in Wichita, we were given a little bit of a break. Several people got to spend Friday afternoon in the park. "We don't get frost bite and you don't have to go inside every once in awhile and then go back out and put on all this heavy stuff," Allie Kruse enthused. "Oh! Everybody needs sun!" said Cathy Clausen. "We need vitamin D today!

(WICHITA, Kan.) At least three nights a week. That's how often you'll find a 12-year-old Wichita girl battling the cold to bring a little Christmas cheer. With only a warm coat, fingerless gloves and violin, she's attracting some big crowds and collecting even bigger donations for the Kansas Food Bank. They call Azure Court 'Candy Cane Lane' for a reason. But sprinkled among the Santas and the snowflakes, you'll find something a little more classic. You won't find lights twinkling in time with the tunes, they're coming straight from the memory of 12-year-old Hailey Hinnen.

by Kim Setty (WICHITA, Kan.) Music Theatre of Wichita plans an evening of "Standing Ovations. "  It's a fundraiser for the organization on September 26th at 6:30 pm at the Scottish Rite Theatre.  The evening  begins with cockails and hors d'oeuvres  and ends with what is promised as "Star Entertainment. " Tickets are $100 per person ($50.00 is tax deductible) and area available by calling 316-265-3107. Reservations must be received by Friday, September 19th.

BIG FAT FUN is all about, FUN! For the past 7 years, this Wichita Based Cover band has played all over Kansas thrilling tens of thousands with their Hi Energy, Concert style Show. Formed in December of 2000 by Jason Shire, the orginial concept was to play music that was fun, famiular and put people in the mood to party, dance and leave a smile on their face.

Uche and the Crash are four likeminded indiviuals, Uche, Scott, Derek, and Justin. They love to make and play music and tell stories. They are from South central Kansas, some a little more south than others. They are sons, brothers, fathers, boyfriends, and husbands, some a little more than others. Theyhave been doing this and wanting to do this for as long as we can remember.  They have been together for a little more than a year, but it seems like longer.

The Naughty Astronauts are not only astronauts, they are musicians. Coming from some of the area's favorite local bands including Room Full of Walters, 10 Day Wish and others, The Naughty Astronauts have set out to change the way live music is experienced. If you have been to one of thier shows, you might agree that they have been able to do just that.