ABOUT THE PROGRAM

For over 30 years, the Paul Laurence Dunbar Marching Band has been one of Kentucky's most celebrated and competitive marching programs. We are more than a band — we are a community built on excellence, passion, and tradition. 

A Tradition of Excellence

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Marching Band was established in 1990 and has grown into one of the premier marching ensembles in Kentucky and the nation. From the very beginning, the program set a high standard — winning the Kentucky State Marching Band AAA Championship in its very first year of competition.

Today, the PLD Marching Band is a co-curricular program open to all PLD students. Each season, students come together to learn, compete, and perform at the highest level — developing musicianship, discipline, teamwork, and lifelong friendships along the way. As a member of this program, you are not just joining a band — you are joining a legacy.
​

A Record That Speaks for Itself

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Marching Band has built a distinguished legacy over more than three decades of competition.

National Recognition

• 2-Time Participant in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Recipient of the Sudler Shield Award (1996, 2005)
• Bands of America Grand Nationals Semi-Finalist (1995, 2006)
• Bands of America Regional Championships (2004, 2005, 2008)
• Bands of America Class Champions — St. Louis (2014)
• 3 Grand Championships at the Contest of Champions, Murfreesboro, TN (1995, 1996, 2007)

Kentucky Excellence

• 7 KMEA State Marching Band Championships (1991, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011)
• 30 KMEA State Finals Appearances
• KMEA State Runners-Up (1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008)

Show History

2026- COMING SOON!

2025 - Vigilante
2024 - Barber Shoppe
​2023 - Blown Away
​2022 - Na'Vi
​2021 - Bitten
2020 - No Show due to COVID-19
​2019 - KODO
​2018 - Redemption
2017 - Whirl
2016 - Ever After
​2015 - Facade
2014 - Unbridled
2013 - The Portal
2012 - Reflections   
2011 - Shine
2010 - Multiples of One
2009 - SpellBOUND   

2008 - Ninja 

2007 - My Immortal
2006 - Up!
​2005 - Celestial Bodies
2004 - I-motion
​2003 - Anime
2002 - Into the Unknown
2001 - Reflections of Earth
2000 - To Tame the Perilous Skies
1999 - Gloria
1998 - Appalachian Spring
1997 - Endurance
1996 - Ludwig
1995 - From the New World
1994 - An Alfred Reed Sampler  
1993 - Excitement 93
1992 - A Tribute to Leonard Bernstein
1991 - Fiddler on the Roof
1990 - Phantom of the Opera