The Kansas City Metroplex Honor Band welcomes Maestro W. Dale Warren from the University of Arkansas as conductor of the 2016 high school honor ensemble.

The Kansas City metropolitan area is an active region for fine and performing arts and maintains great camaraderie amongst the band directors that lead the school bands in this area.

The KC Metro District is comprised of 28 public and private educational institutions sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association.

Jackson and Clay County member schools, located north and south of the Missouri River include: Belton, Blue Springs, Blue Springs South, Excelsior Springs, Fort Osage, Grandview, Liberty, Liberty North, Lincoln College Prep, Lee's Summit, Lee's Summit North, Lee's Summit West, North Kansas City, Oak Park, Park Hill, Park Hill South, Paseo, Pembroke Hill, Raytown, Raytown South, Rockhurst, Staley, St. Theresa, Summit Christian Academy, Truman, Van Horn, William Chrisman, and Winnetonka.

Each year, highly reputable, respected, and sought after clinicians are contracted to conduct the district ensembles in order to provide involved students an unparalleled musical and educational experience.

Members of the All District Band and the first two named alternates in the Honorable Mention Band are then eligible to audition for the Missouri All State Band. 

These ensembles are highly respected and competitive with regards to entry via live audition.

This year, over 780 students auditioned for membership in the 120 member All District High School Honor Band.

The All District Ensembles meet to rehearse over a multi-day format that culminates in an outstanding concert event on Saturday evening, December 10, 2016.

W. Dale Warren is Senior Wind Band conductor and professor of music in the University of Arkansas Department of Music. Professor Warren's primary responsibility is conducting the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony. Warren also teaches junior, senior, and graduate level Music Education courses. Warren is the former director of the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band (1991-2000).

Born in Greenville, Kentucky, Warren attended Muhlenberg Central High School where he played euphonium for Joe Allen. Warren received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He received his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Kentucky. Professor Warren is a former conducting student of Edward A. Knob, John Larkin, George Mabrey, W. Harry Clark, Skip Gray, Dennis Johnson, John Paynter, John Whitwell, and Larry Rachleff. Warren also served on the music department faculty as Associate Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky from (1986-1991).

Warren has taught in the public schools of Bremen High School in Bremen, Kentucky (1980-1982) and at North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Kentucky (1982-1986). While at Bremen and North Hardin, Mr. Warren's bands received numerous awards and Division I ratings. Warren has guest conducted All-District, All-Region, and All-State honor bands, as well as several university bands in 35 states. Warren has completed a faculty residency with the Kasetsart University Wind Symphony in Bangkok, Thailand. The Thailand residency included conducting rehearsals, teaching master classes and guest conducting a full concert program of all American composers. He is a computer clinician/designer for Advantage Showare Inc. and Arrangers' Publishing Company. He also serves as an adjudicator for Musicfest Orlando and Music for All/Bands of America. Warren serves as chair of the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler Shield Award Committee, is a John Philip Sousa Foundation Board member, and is a past president of the Southeastern Conference Band Directors Association.

Since Warren arrived at the University of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony has made special guest appearances at the College Band Directors National Association Convention on five separate occasions and was invited to perform again at the 2008 Conference held at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. In addition, the UA Wind Symphony performed at world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2000. The UA Wind Symphony has also performed at the Arkansas Music Educators Convention All-State Conference on two occasions under Professor Warren's baton. The UA Wind Symphony is featured with composer David Holsinger on a compact disc entitled "Holsinger I" and is featured on several TRN Music Publishers demonstration recordings.

During Warren's tenure as director, the Razorback Marching Band performed numerous times for then-President William Jefferson Clinton, including the 1992 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. Under Warren's leadership, the Razorback Band has also performed at the 2000 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, the 1999 Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, the 1995 SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, the 1995 Carquest Bowl at Joe Robbie Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and at the 1991 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Razorback Marching Band also appeared as the Grand Finale Band at the 1997 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

Warren's affiliations include: National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, Music Educators National Conference, College Band Directors National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Conductors Guild, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Arkansas Music Educators Association, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Pi Kappa Lambda.