Meet the New Maestro: Elliot Whisenant Brings Fresh Energy to Goodland Band

Goodland High School Band with music director Elliot Whisenant

On a recent Good Neighbor Hour, Rollie Halligan sat down with the newest addition to the USD 352 staff—Goodland’s new band instructor, Elliot Whisenant. Fresh from Lawrence, Kansas, and a proud University of Kansas graduate, Elliot is bringing his passion for music education to both Goodland High School and North Elementary.

With KU pride running strong (yes to basketball and football!), Elliot is already making waves in the district’s music programs. “I think it’s going pretty well so far,” he said. “The students are excited about band, and we’ve had some great moments already this year.”

Elliot currently leads 14 high school band members, 40 in junior high, and a booming fifth and sixth grade band program at North Elementary. “We’ve got 35 in sixth grade and all 65 fifth graders enrolled,” he said. “It’s a really great problem to have—we almost didn’t have enough trombones!”

Instrument access isn’t a barrier in Goodland. The district maintains a large collection of instruments and ensures every student has the opportunity to play, regardless of financial situation. “Old instruments are a good thing,” Elliot said with a smile. “They don’t make them like they used to!”

The bands are already making their mark. At the recent G-WAC Music Festival in Cimarron, the junior high band earned straight “1” (superior) ratings, and all four high school soloists received top scores as well—two coming within just four points of a perfect mark.

With concerts and festivals still ahead this spring, there’s plenty more music to come—and under Elliot’s direction, the future is looking bright for band students in Goodland.

Welcome to the community, Mr. Whisenant—and rock chalk!