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History of The Senseney Community Band
History of The Senseney Community Band
The Senseney Music Community Band held its first rehearsal on April 7, 1987. The mission of the band was to provide a place for the amateur musician to perform and to promote good concert band literature. The band has been in continuous service since, with a short disruption for the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020.
The original idea for the Senseney Music Community Band came from Kevin and Renee Pfannensteil, two instrument repairmen working at Senseney Music Inc. They brought the idea to Bill Johnson, their supervisor, who then took the idea to Denny Senseney, owner of Senseney Music Inc. Denny and Bill thought it was a great idea and began the process of putting together a plan to bring the band to life. Denny used his contacts at KMUW radio station to set up an interview and Bill wrote an article for the Wichita Eagle, both promoting the band and the starting date. Bill and Denny were expecting only 20-30 people to show up at the first rehearsal and were surprised when 106 people walked through the door of Senseney Music Inc. at 1407 East Harry.
Bill Johnson leading SCB in 2021
Bill Johnson was the first conductor/music director of that group and held the position for 37 years.
The band was originally sponsored and supported by Senseney Music, hence its name. When Senseney Music was sold to Palen Music in late 2023, the band chose to incorporate and keep the original name. When the Senseney Music store closed, the band dropped music from its name and now goes by the Senseney Community Band. The band is currently housed at Palen Music in Wichita, Kansas.
The Senseney Community Band has maintained a very high standard for musical performance over the years. Members of the community band have included hundreds of fine musicians ranging from current or retired band directors to individuals who had not touched their instrument for a while. In every case the commitment to performing concert band music well has been the goal.
David Bartley Leading SCB in 2026
David Bartley assumed the position as music director when Bill Johnson retired in 2025. Bill Johnson was named director emeritus.
The band has been invited to play at the Kansas Music Educators State Convention, The Kansas Bandmasters State Convention, The Wichita River Festival, The Sedgwick County Fair, The Wellington Wheat Festival, The Newton Fall Festival, Wichita State University and Friends University.
The Senseney Community Band sponsored a community band festival at the Wichita River Festival for three years. Area community bands were invited to participate and bands from as far away as Kansas City accepted.
The Senseney Community Band has traveled to Europe two times. The first trip was in June of 1994 to France to celebrate the 50th anniversary of D-Day. The band was invited to perform a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy. The band
also performed a concert in Wichita's sister city, Orleans France, and was honored by the city council with a plaque. The second trip was to Germany and Austria. Concerts were played in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna.
The Senseney Community Band has performed under the baton of many notable conductors including: Mr. James Barnes, Dr. Harry Begian, Dr. Larry Blocher, Mr. Frederick Fennel, Mr. Robert Foster, Dr. Mark Kelly, Dr. Victor Markovich, Mr. Tom Stidham, Dr. Richard Strange, Dr. John Taylor, Dr. Frank Tracz and Dr. David Wilson.
Denny Senseney with David Bartley - 2026
David Bartley
David Bartley
Music Director & General Manager
David Bartley graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Wichita State University with a Master’s degree in Music Education. Mr. Bartley taught instrumental music for 32 years in grades 5 through 12. He was the Director of Bands at Clearwater for twelve years and Rose Hill for eighteen years. During his tenures, the Clearwater and Rose Hill bands received consistent superior ratings. After retiring from teaching Mr. Bartley worked for Senseney Music in Wichita for eight years working as a repair tech, educational rep and as the school services manager. Mr. Bartley became the music director for the Senseney Community Band in 2025. Mr. Bartley and his wife Robin have been married since 1986 and have two adult daughters, Christine and Meredith.
Senseney Community Band Board of Directors
David Bartley – Music Director/General Manager
Lois Young – President
Marissa Blount – Secretary
Megan Ray – Treasurer
David Brody – Librarian
Bill Johnson – Director Emeritus
Open Position – Social Media/IT
Mary Boyce – At-Large
Don Hansen – At-Large
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