December 3, 2025
Story by Joe Vinduska
Students taking lessons through Barton’s Community Music School will host a recital at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Dorothy Morrison Chapel in the Fine Arts Building.
The recital will feature piano performances by students taught this semester by Barton student instructors Brandon Morgan of Great Bend, Jacky Garcia of Great Bend, and Lainie Sleichter of Clay Center. All three piano instructors are music education majors. Sleichter is a sophomore and Garcia and Morgan are freshmen. Violin instructor Norely Aleman of Great Bend is a freshman music education major and will have students performing as well. Trombone instructor Christopher Sportsman of Wamego is a freshman music major and will have students performing.
Barton Community College Director of Accompaniment Dr. Alejandro Avila said the Community Music School program is a non-credit offering that provides children with access to music education and offers tuition support for Barton students. Tuition starts at $15 for a 30-minute lesson and is directly reinvested in the college student as scholarship funding. Longer lessons are available, and family discounts are offered for households with more than one child enrolled.
“The Community Music School is a win-win for everyone involved,” he said. “Not only do the children receive valuable lessons, but the tuition they pay goes directly toward scholarships for the college students, helping to support their education and future careers in music.”
Enrollment is now open for the spring semester, and instrumental lessons are available to students aged 11 and older in the following instruments: saxophone, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, French horn, violin, viola, and cello. Piano lessons are open to students aged six and older, and enrollment will continue through Jan. 19. Parents are encouraged to register early to secure a spot, as instructor capacity is limited.
For more information, contact Avila at avilaal@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9384.For more information, contact Avila at avilaal@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9384.