Michael Sean Murphy hails from near Claycomo (Clay County Missouri) in Kansas City, North of the river, son of Mike and Tonya Murphy. Michael spent his first year of high school at Northtowne(North Kansas City High School) when he earned a position in the Kansas City Metropolitan All-District Honorable Mention Band. Subsequently, Michael graduated Winnetonka High School. During his high school career, he made the All-State band in 2004 where he served as Missouri’s 1st Trombone Concert Band Alternate. He has represented Winnetonka in the KC Metro All-District Jazz Bands and Concert Band as well; twice in the All-District Blue Jazz Band, once in the Gold Jazz Band, and twice in the All-District Concert Band. In 2001 and 2003 Mike participated in William Jewell College’s Windfest; a collaboration of some of the best area high school musicians. Mike is a 4-year Above and Beyond Varsity Band Letter Winner. As of Spring 2004, he is the only musician ever to make the North Kansas City School District High School Honor Band for 5 consecutive years. At State Music festival, Mike has earned Superior ratings for trombone solo and trio, and brass quintet performances. He has performed the Star Spangled Banner in trombone trio at a Varsity Boy’s Home Basketball game on Tues, Feb. 17, 2004. In 2003, he was invited to perform with the Army’s 312th branch Band in Lawrence, KS. As a Section Leader, Michael was highly active in his high school’s band program competing with Winntonka’s Pride Band in Missouri Western State College’s marching competition(where Winnetonka has competed the past 20 some-odd consecutive years and placed every year), the "Tournament of Champions," where the Marching Pride took first place in 2000 and 2002. He belonged to the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Combo, Golden Variety (Pep) Band and member of the 2003 American Royal "Viewers Choice" Marching Band, the Winnetonka PRIDE. The Pride Competed in the Grand National Dixie Classic Music Festival in 2004, winning best percussion and a Superior Rating. The Winnetonka Jazz Band earned a Superior Rating as well. In 2002, the jazz and symphonic bands earned a Superior Rating, taking home the Festival Honor Award, and best woodwinds & best percussion trophies.                     In the Fall of 2004, Michael attended Central Missouri State University, where he was awarded the All-State and Music Foundation’s scholarships, and the A+ Award (for the completion of at least 50 hours of community service through tutoring and/or mentoring). Michael will be attending school to become a Bachelor of Music Education and someday a band director. While in college, he performed with the Marching Mules, the top Jazz Band, the top Symphonic Band, Basketball pep band, Service Brass Quintet and trombone choir. Bands of America selected Michael to be a part of the first ever 400-piece National Honor Band to march in the 2005 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. It was one of the most rewarding, challenging and fun experiences he has had, and indeed, one of the highlights of his musical career and life. Michael has had the privilege of marching in such parades as the Gracemor Community Day, Gladfest, Snake Saturday, and American Royal Parades and is thankful for the opportunity the Youth Symphony of Kansas City has given him to perform in such venues as the Folly Theatre, Yardley Hall, the historic Gem Theatre, St. James United Methodist Church MLK Jr. Celebration, Union Station, Gano Chapel at William Jewell College, Grant Recital Hall, The Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, Universitat fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien in Vienna, Austria, and in Prague, Czech Republic. Michael has also performed with Winnetonka’s Jazz Band in the Federal Reserve Bank, at Tan-Tar-A Resort, the Gladstone Community Center, and the Gladstone Amphitheatre.                       Michael is currently in the NorthStar Community Band and Penn Valley Community College Jazz Band and is excited to be a member of the Elvis 2 Thunderbolt Band.           Of his non-musical accolades, Mike placed first at VFW Post 5606 in the Voice of Democracy Essay contest in 2004 (themed "My Commitment to America’s Future"), appeared on the Principal’s honor roll, was elected to represent his Senior class in the Winnetonka High School Student Council, and has earned a Blue belt in karate.                   Directors Pat Setser and Ron Fortune have provided the best instruction and leadership possible and he thanks them for their exemplary efforts. "If not for Mr. Fortune, I may never have been able to record my audition tape for the Tournament of Roses Bands of America National Honor Band. I thank him for his help." ---Mike Murphy             He gives thanks also to the Youth Symphony’s Ingrid Stolzel and Mary Corneil for their great work.            Michael would like to take this opportunity to thank his parents, Tonya and Mike, for their unconditional loving support for him and his interests, and he also thanks you for reading his Bio.