Destry Balch, a graduate of University of North Texas in Denton, became the KHS band director in the Summer of 2004. Prior to this, he was the Kingwood Ninth grade director from 2001 through 2004. He has also worked in the Texas communities of Van, Spring Hill and Lufkin. In the Fall of 2016 he began his 29th year of teaching.
He is married to the most wonderful and beautiful wife, Nita.  Between the two of them they have five children:  Tony – former U.S. Army infantry, now working for pipeline inspection;  Samuel – Texas A&M University graduate and now a Lieutenant in the Army;  Aubrey – former U.S. Army Medic and current Nursing School Student;  Matthew Tyler – enrolled in college and close to concluding his degree in Computer Graphic/Game Design;  Matthew Lee – enrolled in college and working towards career goals;  Esker – their Son-In-Law who is an Army Drill Sargeant;  and one year-old grandson Brantley.  Other than being a full time husband and father, he also likes to garden and is a lifelong student of Biblical Scripture.  When band is in full swing, there is not much time for hobbies other than his faith, Nita, their family and band.

Kingwood High School opened its doors to students in the Fall of 1979.Destry Balch took the baton in 2004.  Since that time the band has gained national recognition as the spotlight has taken the band to Illinois, New York, Florida, twice to California, and most recently to Hawaii.  The school split in 2007 caused the enrollment to drop, but the band continued it’s performances of quality, excellence, instrumental skill, and performance excitement.  Current enrollment is approximately 210 members. The band’s list of accolades during recent years includes the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade and the 2009 Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 2011 Lincoln Center New York Concert, 2012 Veteran’s Day Parade in San Diego, CA, and 2015 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii concert.                                            

Justin Love is currently Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair at Olathe North High School. He directs the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble 1, and co-directs the Concert Band. Under Justin’s direction, the Olathe North Wind Ensemble performed at the 2015 Music for All National Concert Festival. The Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1 also performed at the 2016 Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop. Justin serves as President-Elect of the KMEA East Central District. He has served as a guest conductor, clinician, and clinic presenter at various festivals and conventions in Kansas. Justin also serves as co-conductor of the City of Shawnee Concert Band. 

Justin was named the 2005 Outstanding Young Bandmaster by the Iota (Kansas) Chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Justin is a 1993 graduate of Kingwood High School in Kingwood, Texas. He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from the University of Kansas. Justin is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Kansas Music Educators Association, Kansas Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, and is a Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Justin resides in Olathe, Kansas with his wife Bee, a science fiction author, and their two children.

Olathe North High School boasts an enrollment of over 2400 students, and is one of four comprehensive high schools in the Olathe Public School District. The Olathe North Band Program serves over 200 students in grades 9-12 through a variety of curricular and extra-curricular ensembles. These include three concert bands, marching band, pep band, two jazz ensembles, percussion ensemble, and pit orchestra.

The Olathe North Screamin’ Eagle Marching Band has achieved consistent success earning top ratings and marching band championships in Kansas and Missouri, including being named the 2015 Kansas Bandmasters Association Grand Champion. The Marching Band has performed in Canada, the Bahamas, Texas, Florida, and in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Olathe North Wind Ensemble has performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop four times, most recently in 2016. The Wind Ensemble was also the second ever school from Kansas invited to perform at the Music for All National Concert Festival in 2015. Jazz Ensemble 1 also performed at the 2016 KMEA In-Service Workshop. The Olathe North Percussion Ensemble performed at the 2014 KMEA In-Service Workshop, and the Olathe North Winter Percussion was their class champion at the 2013 Mid-Continent Color Guard Association Indoor Percussion Championships.

The Symphonic Winds is a special ensemble consisting of over 120 students from all facets of the Olathe North Band Program and will be making their debut performance in Carnegie Hall. The ensemble is co-conducted by Director of Bands Justin W. Love and Assistant Director John Wickersham.