OUR BAND


333Mr. Reginald L. May has been Director of Bands at F. L Schlagle High School since 1993. He has established a fine reputation as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest con ductor throughout the metropolitan area. Under his leadership, the F.L Schlagle Band has become nationally recognized for its excellence in music education.
            Mr. May, a native of Kansas City, Missouri graduated from Paseo High School, received his Bachelor of Music Education from Florida A&M University, under the leadership of Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E.  White and his Master’s of Education degree from Mid-Nazarene University. Prior to his arrival at F.L Schlagle High School he served for twelve years as Director of Bands at Southeast Middle School developing the first middle school band with eighty members. In 1989 Mr. May was selected to represent the United States by Rotary International on a teacher exchange to the country of Bangladesh. During the 1997 school year, he was recognized by representative Vince Snowbarger, as an outstanding teacher in the state of Kansas at the United States House of Representatives 105th Congress Floor Coverage in Washington D.C.  Mr. May was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1997 and 1998 by, the Kansas Music Educators Association Northeast District, the Outstanding High School Band Teacher of The Year” 2003.
            Under Mr. May’s leadership the F.L Schlagle band has traveled across the country competing in the states of Texas, Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri and most recently being one eight bands selected in the country to participate in the Home Depot VHI Save the Music National Band competition in Los Angeles, California in November 2006. F.L Schlagle Concert Band has earned Superior Ratings (I) while performing in 2000, 2004, and 2005, which was the first in the history of the school.
            Mr. May is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Inc. Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. ,Phi Beta MU National School Bandmaster Fraternity Inc., Music Educators and National Conference. Mr. May is the proud father of actress Kayla May where both reside in Kansas City, Kansas. 

Mr. May's professional work history includes:

  • Southeast Middle School (1970-1981)
  • They had the first marching middle school band in the Kansas City, Missouri School District.
  • Northeast High School (1981-1993)
  • Northeast Middle School 1983-1993)
  • The Northeast Band was selected from a panel of bands to appear on a life size mural at the American Royal Museum.
  • In 1993, Mr. May continued his professional growth as director of bands with the USD 500 School District at F. L. Schlagle High School.
  • Some of the personal achievements earned at F. L. Schlagle are as follows:
  • 1996 - Selected by Congressman Snowberger Outstanding Teacher in the State of Kansas in Washington, D. C.
  • 1997 - Outstanding Teacher of the Year (Rotary International)
  • 1998 - Outstanding Teacher of the Year (Rotary International)
  • 2000 - Schlagle Concert Band - earned the school's first I rating in the school's history
  • 2002-03 - Employee of the Month for October selected by the Board of Education
  • 2002-03 - KMEA District I Band Director of the Year

2003 - F. L. Schlagle Teacher of the Year

         Mr. Gary E. Thomas attended Manual High School in Kansas City, Missouri.  He active in the Drama department, Orchestra Accompanist, National Honor Society, freshman football team, and was ranked 17 in his class. After high school, he attended Lincoln University but returned to Kansas City, Missouri where he attended the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Mr. Thomas received his Bachelor’s in Theatre and Dance.

1982~Began working with Northeast High and Middle Schools with Mr. May. Mr. Thomas was the Assistant Band Director and the Auxiliary Squad.

1989~Northeast High School Auxiliary Squad “ The Vikettes”, won First Place at the National Dance Competition in Orlando, Florida.

While at Northeast, Mr. Thomas developed a Dance Troop, which performed all over the greater metropolitan area. His auxiliary squad is featured in a three- dimensional representation in the American Royal Museum. As a choreographer, Mr. Thomas has worked with Starlight Theatre and Worlds of Fun creating, designing, and teaching routines.

1993~Began working with Mr. May at F.L Schlagle High School and the Stallionettes Auxiliary Squad. He has also worked with the Coronado Middle School Dance Team for the past five years.

          Not only does Mr. Thomas serve the Kansas City, Kansas community, he is very involved in the Kansas City, Missouri community. In his professional career, Mr. Thomas has been the Program Director of the Together Center for the past 26 years. He is also the Youth Director and pianist/organist for the First Christian Church. The past 14 years he has been the President/Coordinator of the Christmas Bureau of Kansas City, Missouri where he helps organize all the donations and gifts for families in the area.

          Mr. Thomas has also severed on various different boards like President of the Paseo West Coalition (6 years), Headstart Board Policy in Kansas City, Missouri, Advisor Board of several Elementary schools, and Board President of his church for the past eight years.