The Southwestern College Concert Band presents “March Madness” with its first concert of the season on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium on the Southwestern College campus.

New music faculty member Jimmy Leach takes the helm of the 34-member group

for the first time.

“I am so excited to lead this fabulous group of musicians; they are so easy to work with,” says Leach. “I think that my Oklahoma upbringing made me a ripe prospect to appreciate the wonderful Kansas friendliness.”

The program features march warhorses such as Bagley’s “National Emblem” and Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” as well as Delibes’ “March and Procession of Bacchus,” Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from “Lohengrin,” and Grainger’s “Children’s March.”

 “Most people nowadays think of basketball when they hear the expression ‘March Madness,’ but in the late 19th century, most towns had a band, and any citizen who valued a higher social standing would be in that band, so they were definitely mad about marches,” Leach continued.

The performance is underwritten by Thane and Vicky Rockhill.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students.  For more information, call (620) 229-6272.