PRACTICE. PERFECT. PERFORM. HAVE FUN!
This site is operated by the Sentinel Band Parents and is not associated with Missoula County Public Schools.
WELCOME TO THE SENTINEL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS!
Sentinel has a rich tradition of band excellence that started in 1957 and continues today. Sentinel's band program currently has over 215 students signed up for band and is growing. We are also excited to have recently moved into a new state-of-the-art band room, which is beautiful as well as functional. If you play an instrument, it's an exiting time to be in band!
TRADITION
GROWTH
The main goal of Sentinel’s Band Program is to offer a variety of opportunities to make you a better player, performer, listener and person. Sentinel offers three high school concert bands, two jazz ensembles, multiple jazz combos, percussion ensemble, marching band, drum-line and pep band. There will also be opportunities for students to audition for the Montana All-State Band, All-Northwest Band, perform at District Solo and Ensemble festivals, State Solo and Ensemble festivals and other festivals listed in the handbook.
Please make note of all required performances and rehearsals. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. Clear communication is the answer to 99% of all problems.
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The band travels every other year on a large scale tour. The band has performed throughout Italy, California, and in 2026 will perform in Orlando. Band will take you places! Here is a link to our 2026 tour Itinerary!
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If you have any questions after perusing this website and reading the handbook, please feel free to email.
Thank you,
Lewis Nelson
Lewis Nelson Director of Bands
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Mr. Nelson was born and raised in Missoula Montana, where his love for music was shaped. Mr. Nelson attended the University of Montana where he earned a BM in Saxophone Performance and a BM in Music Education with honors. After graduating from the University of Montana, Mr. Nelson attended Arizona State University where he earned a MM in Jazz Education. Following his time at ASU, Mr. Nelson began his teaching career at Highland High School in Gilbert Arizona for 8 years. While at Highland Mr. Nelson co-created the Highland/ASU jazz festival, helped win the first ABODA state Marching Championship, and his ensembles consistently earned Superior ratings in Arizona and California.
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After teaching in Arizona, Mr. Nelson taught Band, Music Theory, and Music History at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, Germany for 2 years. While at the John F. Kennedy School, Mr. Nelson was influenced greatly by the culture and appreciation Europeans have for art and music specifically. While in Berlin, Mr. Nelson was able to travel the world due to work and leisure.
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Mr. Nelson is going into his 9th year at Sentinel High School Fall 2024. Mr. Nelson is excited to be back in Montana with his wife Teresa and two children Amelia and Lewis (Lewie) Jr. He is excited for what the future holds and is excited to watch the Sentinel Band program grow and flourish!
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Dr. Benedict Kirby Sentinel Brass Coach and Private Instructor
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Dr. Benedict Kirby is the Instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Montana School of Music and director of UM’s Tuba and Euphonium Choir. He is also the principal tubist of the Missoula and Great Falls Symphony Orchestras and freelances with other regional orchestras and ensembles. He is also a conductor, composer and arranger with several works in publication for band, orchestra & chamber ensembles. He was born and raised in Minnesota and now resides in Missoula, MT with his family.
If you are interested in taking lessons with Dr. Kirby, please email him at benedictkirby1966@gmail.com He teaches all low brass instruments.
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Blake Mikkola Assistant
I graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelors in Music Education. At the university, I participated in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles, Symphony Orchestra, and the Grizzly Marching Band. Throughout my studies I have performed primarily on Trumpet, Double Bass, and Trombone. My proudest achievements in college come from my participation in the National Association for Music Education Collegiate chapter at the University of Montana. During my final year of college, I had the honor of being our chapter president as well as the NAfME-C Vice President for the state of Montana. With this group I ran festivals, helped organize professional development opportunities for my peers, and coordinated our Rural Outreach and Music trip around the state.
During the 2023-24 school year, I was a 6-12 band teacher in Wyoming. In this year of teaching, I ran our district music festival, rekindled our jazz program, and led our high school band to their first straight superior run at our district music festival in recent history. It is my hope to continue teaching young brass musicians as this is one of my biggest passions - please reach out to me at bmikkola@mcpsmt.org for information on lessons.
I am ecstatic to be a member of the Sentinel High School music program and hope to bring continued growth for an already strong and accomplished program. I look forward to meeting you all this fall.
GO SPARTANS!
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