Indianapolis Public Schools Music Showcase Ensemble

The Indianapolis Public Schools Music Showcase includes student performers from all four high schools and seven middle schools in IPS. As the most diverse public school district in Indiana, its leaders reaffirm their commitment to expanding quality arts programming for students of all schools.

Their 2026 performance is entitled “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers.

Middle School Directors: Chris Abbe, Alyssa Blancho, Brian Blocker, Tori Condra-Hilt, Julia Kim, Zach Mccloud, Jesse Moore-Broussard, Sydney Morrow, Traci Prescott, and Virgina Scholl

High School Directors: Mitchell Calderone , Spencer Chapman, Zayne Cunningham, Josh Goodman, John Hague, Chase Hall, Suellen Kipp, Noah Leininger, and Alex Warren

IPS Fine Arts Coordinator: Benjamin Tyler

Superintendent for Indianapolis Public Schools: Dr. Aleesia Johnson

United Sound is a peer mentoring program that pairs students with disabilities and their typical peers in band and orchestra. These special New Musicians are taught by their Peer Mentors to play the instrument of their choice and perform together. Students joining us at Grand Nationals represent over 3,500 students in 32 states across the US (plus Canada and Australia!) who have formed United Sound chapters in their schools and perform with marching bands, concert bands, orchestras, modern bands, guitar classes, mariachi groups, and jazz ensembles!

For the 2026 Grand National Championships, Music for All and the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band are proud to partner with United Sound in order to bring more awareness to the inclusion opportunities for musicians and educators. As we all know, making music together is the most powerful force of learning, growth, friendship, and FUN!

United Sound and WCU will perform together at 8:30 PM on Friday, November 13.

Director: Matt Henley

Assistant Directors: Jeremy Loui, Dillon Ingle, Jayda Copeland, AJ Junttila, and Margi Underwood

Drum Majors: Katy Riggs, Jason Parker, Joely Martin, Austin Williams, Grace Cottrill, Mariana Hernandez, Kadence Watford, Erik Stauffer, Jerry Bradley, Adaline Armstrong, and Danny Strother

Directors: Dr. Adam Gumble, Dr. Hannah Morrison, and Dr. Andrew Yozviak

Drum Majors: Hannah Brungard, Aurora Kishbaugh, Paige O’Donnell, Lauren Saks, and Emily Walbert

Show Title: The Threads That Bind U.S.

About the Show: To honor our nation’s 250th anniversary, “The Threads That Bind U.S.” explores our connection to the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – ideals present at our nation’s founding that we continue to strive toward today.

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