About

The Central Hardin High School Band is an active student organization that offers various music and pageantry arts programs. Currently, the band has over 150 students participating in a range of activities such as marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert band, percussion ensemble, winter guard, pep band, jazz band, and chamber ensembles.

The Central Hardin High School Marching Band is a former Class 3A state champion and a 2021 Class 5A State Finalist. Additionally, the band is a nine-time BOA Regional Finalist and a two-time BOA Grand National Semi-Finalist.

The CHHS Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble have performed at the KMEA State Conference. The CHHS Winter Guard has medaled multiple times in Tri-State Competition and is a Tri-State class champion, as well as a WGI Regional Finalist and WGI Championships Semi-Finalist.

The Instrumental Music Department at Central Hardin High School enrolls over 150 students from the 9th through 12th grades who study with a dedicated sectional faculty as well as private lesson instructors.

Our Philosophy of Education

Music is a fundamental piece of the human experience. Music Education is therefore a necessary endeavor to ensure that the whole child is being educated. This includes skill development, cognitive understanding, and aesthetic appreciation for many forms of music.

The primary objective of the Central Hardin High School Band Program is to develop the performance, rehearsal, and personal practice skills of each student.

The vision for the program is to pursue lifelong excellence.

Head Director

Mr. David Centers

david.centers@hardin.kyschools.us

David Centers, a native of Winchester, KY, attended the University of Louisville where he studied Music Education and Civil Engineering. Mr. Centers graduated with highest honors from UofL and was named the Outstanding Graduating Senior in 1996.

His major instrument is euphonium and he has performed with the Sacred Winds Ensemble, Louisville Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Advocate Brass Band, Commonwealth Brass Band, Derby City Brass Band, Louisville Concert Band, Louisville Brass Band, President Lincoln’s Own Band, and the Derby City Tuba Quartet (a two-time NABBA small ensemble national champion). He was also a finalist in auditions with the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band and the Washington D.C. based Air Force Band.

In 2009, Mr. Centers was named the Outstanding High School Band Director for the Fourth District. He has also served as the 4thDistrict Band Chair and the KMEA State Band Chair (2022-2024). In 2009, he was selected by the SBO magazine to represent Kentucky in “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” He has performed with the “President Lincoln’s Own Band” at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. in January of 2013, in New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in June of 2013, and at the 150thAnniversary of the Gettysburg Address in November 2013. Additionally, Mr. Centers has received a Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. He has also performed twice at the prestigious Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago with the Chamber Winds Louisville Concert Band. In 2016, he performed with the Louisville Orchestra for the soundtrack recording for Thunder Over Louisville. In 2014-2015, he served as the instrumental music education representative for the Kentucky Department of Education for Visual and Performing Arts. He is also currently serving as Vice-President for the Sacred Winds Ministries, Inc. and the President-elect for the Psi Chapter of the Phi Beta Mu music fraternity.

Mr. Centers began his teaching career in Jeffersonville, IN at Parkview Middle School in 1997 before returning to Kentucky in 2002 to teach at East Hardin Middle School and Central Hardin High School and served as Director of Bands at Central Hardin High School from 2004-2019. While at Central Hardin, Mr. Centers’ bands consistently received distinguished ratings at concert festivals, were consistently a KMEA state semi-finalist, a BOA Regional finalist, and a two-time BOA Grand National Semifinalist. The Central Hardin Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensembles have performed at the KMEA State Conference. During his first tenure as band diretor at Central Hardin the bands grew from 52 members to 170 students. In 2020, Mr. Centers went to Oldham County to serve as Director of Bands at East Oldham Middle School and Oldham County High School. While at Oldham County High School, four ensembles were selected to perform at the KMEA State Conference. In summer of 2024, Mr. Centers returned to teach at Central Hardin High School along side his son, Mr. Noah Centers.

Mr. Centers resides in Louisville, KY with his wife of 28 years, Staci, two dogs, two cats, and a turtle. He has two children, Noah and Hannah (music student at University of Kentucky), and a grandson, Levi. He is a member at Immanuel Baptist Church.

Assistant Directors

Mrs. Vanessa Lee

vanessa.lee@hardin.kyschools.us

“A good teacher is like a candle- it consumes itself to light the way for others.” Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Mrs. Lee is originally from Russell Springs, Kentucky attending the Russell County High School Band. During her time in the Russell County High School Band Mrs. Lee participated in the Marching Band, Concert Band, All-District Bands, Honors Bands, Honors Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Jazz Band and so forth.

She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While at WKU, she was recognized as an honorary inductee of the Pi Kappa Lambda Theta Eta Chapter, twice recognized as a Performer of the Semester, as she studied percussion under Dr. Mark Berry.

Mrs. Lee formerly served as Assistant Band Director and Winterguard Director of Henderson County High School in Henderson, KY. HCHS Marching Band received 8th in KMEA State Semi-Finals for the first time in over a decade and started a Winter Guard Program.

She currently serves as Director of Bands at East Hardin Middle School, Assistant Band Director for the Central Hardin High School Marching Band, and teacher representative on the EHMS Site-Based Decision-Making Council. The East Hardin Middle School Band had received 8 Distinguished Ratings at the District 4 Large Ensemble since Mrs. Lee has served as Director of Bands.

In her free time Mrs. Lee enjoys rock climbing, playing with her cats Puppy and Ponyo, as well as spending time with her husband Benjamin Lee of SoLeeMusic LLC, reading, group bible study, and learning new things.

Mr. Noah Centers

noah.centers@hardin.kyschools.us

Mr. Centers is a native of Louisville, KY, and attended school in Hardin County. A proud alumnus of Central Hardin High School, he pursued his passion for music by earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Louisville, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

During his time at the University of Louisville, Mr. Centers achieved significant recognition, winning the International Euphonium Young Artist Solo Competition in 2019 and being named the Outstanding Music Education Graduate of 2022. His academic journey was complemented by rich professional experiences, including teaching and performing across 10 countries and collaborating with some of the world’s most esteemed brass musicians and educators.

An accomplished euphonium player, Mr. Centers has performed with prominent ensembles such as the Sacred Winds Ensemble, Louisville Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Derby City Brass Band, Louisville Brass Band, President Lincoln’s Own Band, Victory Brass Collective, and the Legacy Tuba Quartet.

Currently, Mr. Centers serves as the Assistant Band Director and Piano Instructor at Central Hardin High School. He is also an active member of the SBDM Council.

Residing in Cecilia, KY, Mr. Centers enjoys family life with his wife, Kayla, their children, Levi and Caroline, and their pets, including their cat, Charlie, and a flock of chickens. In his leisure time, he is an avid disc golfer and is actively involved in his community as a member of Fireside Baptist Church.

Mr. Matthew Robinson

matthew.robinson@hardin.kyschools.us

Matthew Robinson grew up right here in Hardin County and went to John Hardin High School.

He continued on to major in Music Education at Eastern Kentucky University where he studied trombone under Dr. Nathan Siler. While at EKU, Matthew taught sectionals and visual for the John Hardin High School and North Laurel High School Marching Bands.

Professionally teaching he has spent the past three years teaching music for grades P-8 and directing the New Haven School Band in Nelson County.

Now, Matthew is thrilled to be the new band director at West Hardin Middle School, and one of the assistant directors for the CHHS Marching Band. He is excited for the opportunity to share his love of music with his students and encourage them to be lifelong musicians.

About the Ensembles

Marching Band

The Marching Band at Central Hardin High School is one of the largest student organization on campus with over 150 students involved. The Marching Band consists of students from all concert bands, as well as the color guard. Marching Band begins with rehearsals in the spring, followed by band camp in the summer during late July and early August, which all participants are require to attend. Once school starts the Marching Band rehearses three times a week and performs at all home football games. The Marching Band competes in 6-8 competitions on Saturdays during the fall in the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) and Bands of America (BOA) circuits.

Concert Band(s)

The Wind Ensemble features the finest musicians in the Central Hardin band program. The Wind Ensemble is made up of students from all grade levels and performs the finest wind literature and continues the development of refined, professional skills. The Wind Ensemble will perform many concerts throughout the school year and during the month of March is a participant in the KMEA Large Ensemble Performance Assessment Event.. This select group will also participate in outside musical opportunities when they present themselves. Members of this ensemble are highly encouraged to study privately. Additionally, these students are required to audition for and participate in All-District Band, All-State Band, and Solo and Ensemble.

The Symphonic Band is one of three concert bands in the Central Hardin band program. The Symphonic Band is made up of students from all grade levels and focuses on refining instrument playing skills and performing quality music literature of a higher difficulty level. The Symphonic Band will perform many concerts throughout the school year and during the month of March is a participant in the KMEA Large Ensemble Performance Assessment Event.. Members of this ensemble are highly encouraged to study privately.

The Concert Band is one of three concert bands in the Central Hardin band program. The Concert Band is made up of students from all grade levels and focuses on developing and refining instrument playing skills and performing quality music literature. The Concert Band will perform many concerts throughout the school year and during the month of March is a participant in the KMEA Large Ensemble Performance Assessment Event.

Small Ensembles

Jazz Band

The Central Hardin Jazz Band is an extension of the band program that meets during the Spring Semester. The ensemble consists of students who are members of the band program. Entrance into the Jazz Band requires an audition and is made up of traditional jazz instruments including: saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass, drum set and other instruments as needed. The Jazz Band performs numerous concerts throughout the year and participates at festivals across the state of Kentucky.