Ashland Middle School Band

06/22/2026

In addition to the free percussion camp offered in Prestonsburg next week, here is another free AND local event!

Check out the Bluegrass Wind Ensemble’s annual summer concert at the Paramount next Tuesday!

(You just might see some familiar faces, especially in the trumpet section…)

06/08/2026

Percussion students, check this out!

(Some of you will remember Mr. Wes Denkins, who worked with our 7th/8th Grade Percussionists this past school year.)

05/22/2026

And thus did another successful school year come to a close…

The AMS Bands have had an AWESOME year! Particular items of note:

- Continuation of the [7th/8th Grade] Percussion Ensemble Class
** AMS Drumline grew to where both grades learned 4 different cadences!

- 7th/8th Grade Band continues the unanimous Distinguished ratings streak at KMEA Concert Band Assessment!

- We had the highest number in recent AMS history to make the KMEA All-District Band!

- 6th Grade Band fired it up on their concert music, AND had students participate/earn Distinguished ratings at Solo & Ensemble Festival!

- Our overall band enrollment maintaining its membership and momentum to around 100 students!

- Ashland Independent Schools is nationally recognized for the second-year-in-a-row (!) as a district that supports, demonstrates, maintains- “gets it” - about music!

…along with the numerous other school/community performances. It has been a great year because of YOU all! The future is very bright!

Enjoy your summer vacation, team.

Those in marching band, we’ll see you at band camp! To our newcomers and returners, see you in August!

Keep it fired up!

- Ms. Skiles

05/20/2026

It's the final countdown! Two days remain! Some end-of-year reminders:

- Marching Band folks: Ms. Skiles has your music- see our Google Classroom for updates.

- We still need HS Band forms from the following people: Walker, Vivian, Lucy, and Adrian. SKILES NEEDS THESE BY FRIDAY.

- Due to HS Graduation being indoors, 8th Graders ARE NOT PLAYING for HS graduation.

- All PERSONAL instruments (regardless of your grade) go home BY THIS FRIDAY!

- SCHOOL instruments stay at school over the summer, unless:
1) You're a 7th or 8th Grader doing marching band in the summer.
2) You've spoken directly to Ms. Skiles and have worked something out. (No one other than marching band folks have done this, as of the timing of this post.)

If you have any questions, let Ms. Skiles know!

Send a message to learn more

05/17/2026

Special congratulations to Mr. Doss and the Paul G. Blazer High School Band!

Great things happening (and things to look forward to, MS students!) in high school!

05/12/2026

Tonight, tonight!

HS Band Room (Building 7, second floor). 7:00pm.

Don’t forget of the mandatory student/parent meeting next Tuesday!

This is for any rising Freshman and select* rising 8th Grade band members.

This meeting will go over everything you need to know about the Paul G. Blazer High School Band. From summer band camp, to joining the HS Band's notification group, to the new marching band uniforms and upcoming band trip- this meeting will cover everything you need to know in prep for the 26-27 school year!

*Select students invited to join the Blazer Marching Band as 8th Graders received their letters last Tuesday.

05/09/2026

Don’t forget of the mandatory student/parent meeting next Tuesday!

This is for any rising Freshman and select* rising 8th Grade band members.

This meeting will go over everything you need to know about the Paul G. Blazer High School Band. From summer band camp, to joining the HS Band's notification group, to the new marching band uniforms and upcoming band trip- this meeting will cover everything you need to know in prep for the 26-27 school year!

*Select students invited to join the Blazer Marching Band as 8th Graders received their letters last Tuesday.

05/06/2026

Now THAT’S what we call a concert! Fantastic job tonight, team!!

I am VERY proud of your all’s efforts this year- especially this semester. You definitely fired it up!

Please feel free to comment on this post with additional pictures (good and embarrassing) and videos!

SPECIAL shout-out and THANK YOU to our student teacher this semester, Ms. Kaley Fetty from Morehead State University. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish with your own group one day!

I am a VERY proud and happy director. We have the BEST students, families, school, and staff around. Ashland’s THE place to be for music!

- Ms. Skiles

05/05/2026

Tonight’s the night! Join us for an incredible night of music making!

Student call time is 6:30pm. Please do not drop off students before 6:10pm.

05/03/2026

May marks the final month of school and events for the MS band program! Two critically important/mandatory events coming up:

- Our Spring Concert is this Tuesday! Student call time: 6:30pm, AMS Gym. Khaki pants, AMS Band polo.

- NEXT Tuesday is a mandatory student/parent meeting for any rising Freshman and select* rising 8th Grade band members.

This meeting will go over everything you need to know about the Paul G. Blazer High School Band. From summer band camp, to joining the HS Band's notification group, to the new marching band uniforms and upcoming band trip- this meeting will cover everything you need to know in prep for the 26-27 school year!

*Select students invited to join the Blazer Marching Band as 8th Graders will receive their invitation letters later this week.