April 21, 2026
Story by Joe Vinduska
Students taking lessons through Barton’s Community Music School will host a recital at 3 p.m. May 9 in the Fine Arts Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building.
The recital will feature piano performances by students taught this semester by Barton student instructors and music education majors Brandon Morgan, Jacky Garcia, and Anderson Luttrell of Great Bend, and Lainie Sleichter of Clay Center. Sleichter is a sophomore, and Garcia, Luttrell, and Morgan are freshmen. Violin instructor Norely Aleman of Great Bend is a freshman music education major and will have students performing as well. Luttrell will also have trombone students performing in the recital. David Luna of Great Bend is the new guitar and bass instructor and will also have students performing.
Barton Community College Director of Keyboard Studies and Accompaniment Dr. Alejandro Avila said the Community Music School program is a non-credit offering that provides children and teenagers 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 fall semester, and instrumental lessons are available to students aged 11 and older in the following instruments: saxophone, clarinet, trombone, trumpet, French horn, guitar, electric bass, violin, viola, and cello. Piano lessons are open to students aged six and older, and enrollment will continue through the first week of September. Parents are encouraged to register early to secure a spot, as instructor capacity is limited.
For more information, contact Dr. Avila at avilaal@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9384. Photo cutline: Barton Community College Director Dr. Alejandro Avila works with a student during a past Community Music School Recital.