The Paul Laurence Dunbar High School was established in 1990. The school's commitment to a quality band program was clear from the beginning, when Craig Cornish, coming away from a state marching band championship at North Hardin High School, was hired as PLD's first Band Director. It didn't take long for Mr. Cornish to make his mark winning the Kentucky State Marching band AAA championship in 1991. The PLD tradition was born.

      In 1998 assistant director Jeff Hood took over. Mr. Hood and Asst. Band Director, Brian Morgan, have led the PLD band since that time. Besides the 1991 class AAA championship, the PLD band have been state champions in 2003 and 2004 (Class AAAA), and 2005 and 2007 (Class AAAAA); State Runners-Up in 1992, 1994, 1995, and 2002 (Class AAAA) and 2006 and 2008 (Class AAAAA). The PLD band has been a KMEA state finalist marching band in 14 out of the last 15 years. In 2004 and 2005 they were Bands of America Regional and Class Champions at Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University. In 1995, 1996, and 2007 they were crowned Grand Champions at the Contest of Champions at Middle Tennessee State University. Dunbar has participated in the BOA Grand Nationals contest twice (1996 and 2006) placing in the top 20 both times. Altogether, the band has been Grand Champions more than 25 times. The band performed in the 2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. If you are considering becoming a part of such an accomplished band, check out what our current marching students are saying about their expierences on becoming a member. Our Band 8th grade Flyer provides information on starting the process of becoming a PLD Band member.

       In addition to Marching Band, Paul Laurence Dunbar music program supports 3 concert bands at the school, concert band A & B and Wind Ensemble. Spring auditions determine placement for the following fall in the concert band program. Concert Band students are not required to participate in marching band. PLD concert bands have performed as a featured ensemble for the KMEA Professional Development Conference in Louisville. All three concert bands consistently score a 1 ranking in adjudication for the district concert festival. The band averages about 10 to 13 All-State members each year. The Concert band performs at special event shows during the year for school activities such as Christmas concerts and graduation.
      Wind ensemble students also perform the musical arrangements for all drama department plays during the school year. The wind ensemble has performed the musical scores for such plays as 'Camelot', 'Grease', and 'The sound of Music'.

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      The PLD Jazz Band began as extra-curricular activity offered at PLD. Directed by Mr. Morgan, the PLD Jazz Band is now a 2 semester, elective course, that is offered for credit by PLD. The Jazz Band program is divided into two bands, PLD Jazz Band and PLD Advanced Jazz Band. Both bands are composed of PLD students with a genuine love of popular jazz music. The Jazz Band provides an opportunity for new jazz band students to learn and develop the necessary competancy skills with the intent to prepare students to one day participate and perform with the Advanced Jazz Band.
      The Advanced Jazz Band is the highest level performing jazz group at PLD. Advanced Jazz Band members are expected to demonstrate a high proficiency on their instrument that can only achieved through many hours of dedicated practice. Both Jazz bands perform during the year for school activities, special events, and at local venues in and around Lexington, Kentucky.

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      The PLD Colorguard is an ensemble of 20-40 students who complement the musical components of the PLD band by providing the additional visual elements of color, fashion, and flair. The PLD colorguard helps 'tell the story' visually to the audience as the band plays the story musically. Very much a performing art, the PLD colorguard must learn and master the same march and drill techniques as the rest of the band. However, guard members must also master the additional flag, rifle, or sabre handling techniques and do so with incredible precision and control of time. PLD color guard is frequently recognized and honored at band competitions with Best Visual and Best Colorguard honors.

      The PLD Winterguard is an indoor colorguard activity which is performed during the winter season. Unlike color guard, which performs outdoors on a football field, winterguard shows are performed indoors in a gym or arena. The PLD winter guard unit spends many hours perfecting their dance and acrobatic routines for competition in the Tri State Circuit. These countless hours of practice were rewarded during the 2008-2009 winterguard season when the PLD winterguard completed the Tri State circuit season with an undefeated record! An amazing accomplishment!
      For more information on becoming a member of the PLD Color Guard, check out our Color Guard Informational Flyer and get started today!.