Potential Student Welcome Letter

Dear Student,                                                                                                                                                                                         June 1, 2024

Congratulations on being accepted into duPont Manual High School and the Youth Performing Arts School! As the Associate Band Director at YPAS and Director of Bands at duPont Manual High School, I look forward to working with several of you on a daily basis. 

I am writing you today to let you know that my staff and I would  love to have you participate in in the 2024-25 “Crimson Sound” Marching/Pep Band and Color Guard program. If you currently play an instrument or have interest in color guard (flags, rifles, saber, dance) we would love to hear from you.

We will hold a Manual Band and Color Guard Interest Meeting on the following dates:

When: Tuesday, April 9th from 6-7 pm 

Where: YPAS Band Room (1517 South Second Street, Louisville, KY 40208). 

The "Crimson Sound" recently purchased brand new uniforms in 2018 and several new instruments/audio equipment in 2019,2020, a whole new drum line for 2023 and new sousaphones in 2024. We will take our bi-annual trip to Disney World and Universal Studios once again in January of 2025. 

There are many benefits to participating in the marching band program (musically, physically and socially) here at Manual HS. We run a “balanced” rehearsal and performance schedule that works well with the academic rigor and additional extracurricular opportunities offered at duPont Manual High School. The marching band rehearses on Thursdays from 3:00-5:30 and select Fridays from 3:00-5:00. The band performs at approximately 5 Friday Night home football games and various other events. The marching band season usually concludes the first weekend in November (if not before). Attending summer band is vital in order to be successful but the staff and I will potentially work with some small conflicts. I also want to point out that many of our band students are involved in other extracurricular clubs and activities on the Manual campus, including clubs, academic teams, YPAS ensembles, athletics and even outside organizations such as Louisville Youth Orchestra and the Scouts. If you are in a winter or spring sport student, there are no conflicts. Several of the fall sport coaches and myself are also willing to work together when a student has interest in participating in marching band and a fall sport. 

The current Manual Band consists of students representing ALL 5 MAGNET programs (YPAS, HSU, J&C, MST, VA). Many of our top YPAS Band students are in the marching band which allows for a very talented musical group. In addition, our color guard program is growing in numbers and quality. COLOR GUARD IS OPEN TO ANY STUDENT ON CAMPUS with interest in dance, flags, rifle and theatrics. The color guard section is the visual story tellers of our show design. Our drum line and front ensemble percussion programs are also open to non-band music students such as choir, orchestra, guitar and piano majors. As long as you can read music, we will help you along the way. 

There are many new challenges facing the first-year high school student. Being in the band will help make this process a pleasant one by helping new students become familiar with the campus, buildings, and faculty prior to the first day of school.  In addition, it will afford every student the opportunity to enter an advanced level of instruction with a host of talented friends who share a similar interest and a familiar language - MUSIC.  Our upperclassmen will serve as a safe and supportive social family in the introduction to this new learning environment.

Ongoing research confirms that music students score higher in academic subjects and are actively sought by colleges and universities not only for their musical talents, but because they often rank at the top of their classes in school. Over the years, the “Crimson Sound” has had many members attend and participate in All-County Band and Orchestra, All-County Percussion Ensemble, All-State Band and Orchestra, All-State Percussion Ensemble, National Honors Ensembles, Governor’s School for the Arts, the Governor’s Scholars Program, the Duke Talent Search Program and various leadership/music camps. We have also had several Eagle Scouts and athletes in the band program. The Manual Band has also produced many National Merit Semi-Finalists and Finalists along with many school Valedictorians.

If your child has interest in participating in the 2024 marching band, please fill out the Member Registration Form and mail in your deposit to the address listed on the membership form by Monday, July 1st. 

Should you have any questions about the band, feel free to email me at conner.kinmon@jefferson.kyschools.us.

Have a great spring and summer!

Sincerely,

Director of Bands,

duPont Manual High School 

Associate Director of Bands

Youth Performing Arts School

District 12 KMEA Band Chair

1517 South Second St.

Louisville, KY 40208

502-485-8355 (School)

502-313-4160 (Band Office)

conner.kinmon@jefferson.kyschools.us