Under the direction of Andy Empey, Katrina Fitzpatrick, and Luke Shaffer, the Morton Band program serves the music education development of over 190 wind, percussion, and guard students at Morton High School. The goal of Morton Bands is to develop students’ lifelong love of music and to expand their musical achievement through appropriate performance opportunities in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, Brass Ensemble, and Color Guard. Considerable emphasis is placed on individual student growth and achievement. Each year, multiple band members are selected for the Illinois Music Education Association District Honor Band and Orchestra, All-State Bands and Orchestras, and various honor ensembles throughout the state. Morton CUSD 709 is a NAMM Best Community for Music Education.