Program History
A Legacy in Music Education
The establishment of the Blue Springs School District....
The community of Blue Springs, Missouri, was founded in 1845 near Burris Old Mill Park on Woods Chapel Road and Walnut Street. The town quickly rallied around education and established its first wooden-framed, one-room schoolhouse in that same year, founding the Blue Springs School District. In 1884 that school would be razed with a new one being built in the same location. In 1879, the railroad would make its way to Blue Springs with a train depot being built one mile east of the original community. As the town grew, Blue Springs continued its commitment to education by constructing its first two-story school house in 1905. The schoolhouse was replaced by a new, larger school in 1923. In 1949, a common trend to consolidate smaller school districts impacted Blue Springs when 10 one-room schoolhouses joined the reorganized Blue Springs Missouri R-IV school district. And as the district grew, it would open its first dedicated high school in 1955, named Blue Springs High School, that sat where the previous Freshman Center was located on the other side of the railroad tracks.
Blue Springs builds a band program....
As the trend began to have state marching band competitions, Blue Springs was a leader. The band wasn't originally known as the Golden Regiment, as that was an honor bestowed by the legendary Doug Watts who took the role of head band director in XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. In XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX would brand the band the Golden Regiment. During Doug's tenure with the band, they became nationally recognized with their first appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1980. Blue Springs High School became a regional powerhouse in close competition with Lee's Summit High School. During the 1990's, many of the legendary marching show themes like "West Side Story" and "Phantom of the Opera" drove the Golden Regiment to sweep captions and class 5A awards at competitions all over Missouri.
Doug Watts builds a legacy....
As the trend began to have state marching band competitions, Blue Springs was a leader. The band wasn't originally known as the Golden Regiment, as that was an honor bestowed by the legendary Doug Watts who took the role of head band director in XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. In XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX would brand the band the Golden Regiment. During Doug's tenure with the band, they became nationally recognized with their first appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1980. Blue Springs High School became a regional powerhouse in close competition with Lee's Summit High School. During the 1990's, many of the legendary marching show themes like "West Side Story" and "Phantom of the Opera" drove the Golden Regiment to sweep captions and class 5A awards at competitions all over Missouri.
Dr. Tim Allshouse takes the band to new heights....
In 1996, Dr. Allshouse would interview with the Blue Springs School District for a math teaching position, in his words to get practice in interviewing skills for when a band director role might become available. A few weeks later, he was called back and offered the role of Head Band Director at Delta Woods Middle School with an assistant title for the High School marching band. And in 2000, when Doug Watts retired, Dr. Allshouse would take over the role of head director. The national recognition for the Blue Springs High School Band program would grow significantly in the early 2000's. The band would return to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in 25 years with an appearance in 2005. And the band would return again in 2010 and 2019. The Golden Regiment would make a trip to Pasadena, California, to march in the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2009. And shortly thereafter they were invited to march in the 2009 Inaugural Parade for Barack Obama in Washington, DC.
The Golden Regiment begins competing in Bands of America....
The transition form regional powerhouse on the marching band field began in 2006 when the Golden Regiment started attending Bands of America competitions. The band quickly paid attention to what other national leaders like Broken Arrow, OK and Cobb County, GA were doing with their performances. An increased investment would be made in show design, prop construction, transport, equipment, and a transition from uniforms to costumes. In 2015, the Golden Regiment would receive the honor of making it through to the final round of the Bands of America Grand Nationals competition among the best bands in the country. With a score of 89.10, they earned the 10th place honor. But the Golden Regiment never stood still and continued to work towards constant innovation, development, and higher results. In 2018, the GR would rise to the level of 3rd place with a score of 95.60 at Bands of America Grand Nationals. The Golden Regiment Marching Band continues to elevate their performance and has become a strong competitor against past Grand National champion winners.
We are....GR!
The Department of Bands encompasses so much....
While the Golden Regiment is by far the most prominent performing ensemble, the Blue Springs High School is a leader across its concert and jazz bands, winter guards, and other performing and classroom instruction opportunities. The Blue Springs Wind Symphony has had the honor of performing at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and has had the honor of receiving the prestigious Sudler's Shield as well as the President's Cup. The Wildcat Jazz Ensemble has had the opportunity to perform at past Missouri Music Educators Association Conventions as well as various annual opening performances in Branson, Missouri. The Open Class and Class A winter guards are leaders in the expanding performance area of Winter Guard International.
The Blue Springs community makes significant investments in the future of music education....
The successes in the small community of Blue Springs have brought new investments. In 2019, the Department of Bands moved into its new band facilities at the High School. A state of the art 22,000 square foot space includes a large percussion rehearsal room, a band room that can comfortably fit the entire Golden Regiment, practice rooms, and additional, much-needed storage. Blue Springs has continued this investment again with approval for a 2024 bond issue that is bringing modernized and upgraded band facilities to each of the middle schools. The commitment to music education and the performing arts is alive and well in Blue Springs. Building on the shoulders of those that have come before them, the future opportunities and successes for Blue Springs High School will provide a lifetime of memories for the community.
