MEMBERS

Who’s Who

DARYL BATCHELOR

Trumpet

Daryl Batchelor, retired Hutchinson Community College Instrumental Jazz Director is living in Lawrence enjoying grandkids and playing with several different ensembles

JOEL BOETTGER

Saxophone

Joel Boettger is currently the Director of Bands at Bethel College. In 2016 Joel graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a masters degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media. He plays regularly in south central Kansas and clinics at college and high schools in surrounding states.

BRAD DAWSON

Trumpet

Brad Dawson has taught at Fort Hays State University for over 40 years where he teaches trumpet, numerous jazz ensembles and jazz history. Brad has appeared on stage with jazz greats Allen Vizzutti, Ken Peplowski, John Fedchock and many more. He is a highly sought after musician and clinician in Kansas and surrounding areas.

WESTEN GEHRING

Saxophone

A two-time member of the National Youth Band of Canada (2012, 2013), Westen attended Bethel College and studied under Joel Linscheid and James Pisano, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in Music Performance and Biology in 2018. He continued his studies with James Pisano at Wichita State University, graduating with a master’s in Music Performance in 2020.

JOSH HERMES

Trombone

Josh is a professional trombonist from the Hutchinson area. He completed his bachelor’s degree in music education at Fort Hays State University and a Master of Music in trombone performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Josh is currently teaching band and private music lessons in the Wichita area, as well as playing trombone in ensembles.

JANA JAMES

Saxophone

Jana James spent 23 years playing saxophone, flute and clarinet on cruise ships, traveling the world and playing for top entertainers while on Carnival and Princess Cruise Lines. In 2011, she became Musical Director. Jana has recently returned to the area and plays with the Hutchinson Municipal Band, the Salt City Big Band, the Hutchinson Symphony and many other area bands.

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DOUG KAUFMAN

Piano

Been active piano and saxophone in the jazz scene in Hutchinson KS since 2002 working with Daryl Batchelor and the jazz combo class. Doug has recently taken a position as director of engineering at Radio Kansas which supports an HD jazz radio program.

KURTIS KOCH

Drums

Kurtis Koch is a retired band director from Great Bend, KS. He taught public school for 38 years and is still active as a private lesson teacher, adjudicator and performs with many bands throughout Kansas.

ANTHONY PANEK

Leader/Manager

Anthony Panek is a trombonist from south central Kansas. He has performed with various artists including Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band, The Platters, Bob McChesney and Scott Whitfield. He is a clinician and performs with many groups throughout Kansas.

JIM PISANO

Saxophone

James Pisano maintains an active jazz performing career nationally and internationally. Currently he serves as Director of Jazz Ensembles and Professor of Saxophone at Wichita State University.

ROBERT RATE

Trumpet

Bob Rate is a retired physician and active trumpet player in the Hutchinson area. He is a consistent player in various ensembles for the Hutchinson community pit orchestras, Salt City Big Band, Municipal Band, Brass Quintet among many others.

MARK ROBINSON

Trombone

Mark Robinson graduated from Bethel college in 1987. Mark has been teaching music in private and public schools for over 34 years. He is currently director of bands in Burrton Schools and is a highly sought after trombonist in local symphonies and municipal bands.

NICK SCHROEDER

Trumpet

Dr. Nick Schroeder is currently the director of jazz studies at Hutchinson Community College and has held positions at Bethel College and Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. Prior to his teaching career, Dr. Schroeder performed and recorded with the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and continues to be an in-demand freelance commercial trumpet player and clinician in the Midwest United States.

WILL TEUFEL

Trombone

Will Teufel taught band for 10 years in Kansas and currently works as a higher-ed administrator and adjunct instructor. When not at his day job, he plays trombone in the Hutchinson area and writes and arranges music.

ROBERT TIERNEY

Trombone

Rob Tierney holds a masters degree in trombone performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has performed with Bob Brookmeyer, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and soul legend Aretha Franklin. He has been a band director for over 15 years and is actively involved in church ministry. He currently resides in west Wichita and is active in various local bands.

CRAIG TREINEN

Saxophone

Dr. Craig Treinen (Alumnus of Washburn University), is the former Director and Lead Alto Saxophonist for the USAF Heartland of America Band “Noteables.” Dr. Treinen is currently serving as The Department Chair of Music and Director of Jazz Studies/Applied Saxophone programs at Washburn University. Craig has performed all over the world and with artists such as The Temptations, Terrell Stafford, Karin Allison, George Duke, Carl Fontana, Bobby Watson, Shirley Jones, Manheim Steamroller, Bob Denver, and many others. He continues to be an active performer and clinician providing clinics, workshops, and lectures on saxophone and jazz education throughout the United States.

BRAD UNRUH

Bass

Brad Unruh is a bassist playing in jazz, rock, country, church and theatre settings in the area for over 30 years.

MICHAEL RAEHPOUR

Lead Trumpet

Michael Raehpour serves multiple roles as an educator, trumpet player, and arranger. Originally from Wichita, Michael has performed in multiple cities throughout Europe and major venues in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Kansas City. Michael has shared the stage and studied with leading musical artists including Wayne Bergeron, Arturo Sandoval, Willie Murillo, John Clayton, Gordon Goodwin, Wycliffe Gordon, and many more.