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Lawrence City Band bids farewell to conductor

by Jacob Rice
Jacob Rice/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Band Conductor Paul Popiel bows after his final piece with the band.
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The Lawrence City Band ended its summer concert series Wednesday evening with a fond farewell to conductor Paul Popiel.

Popiel, also dean of the KU School of Music, is soon heading to a new position at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. He said on Monday that he’d enjoyed conducting the band for about a decade.

“There are few places that would pull me away from this beautiful and loving music community,” Popiel told the crowd on Wednesday.

“… Thank you for coming out and supporting live music,” he continued. “Thank you for supporting these terrific musicians. And if I may have a quick word to these musicians — you’re amazing, and I’m really grateful for all our time together.”

Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times The Lawrence City Band prepares for their final show of the season.
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Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees sit in lawn chairs at South Park ahead of the Lawrence City Band performance.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees sit in lawn chairs at South Park ahead of the Lawrence City Band performance.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees watch the American flag be raised at South Park while the Lawrence City Band performs “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees watch the Lawrence City Band perform the last show of the season at South Park.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Members of the Lawrence City Band play saxophones.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A member of the Lawrence City Band plays the tuba.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Hanan Misko blows bubbles for his daughter, Juliana Misko, during the performance.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Paul Popiel conducts the Lawrence City Band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Paul Popiel conducts the Lawrence City Band in their final performance of the season at South Park.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Paul Popiel conducts the Lawrence City Band in their final performance of the season at South Park.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A Lawrence City Band member plays the tuba in the final performance of the season.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees listen to the Lawrence City Band perform at South Park.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Lawrence City Band announcer Paul Laird makes puns while introducing the set list.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Conductor Paul Popiel addresses the crowd at South Park in his final performance with the Lawrence City Band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Conductor Paul Popiel is recognized before his final song with the Lawrence City Band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Conductor Paul Popiel waves to the crowd while being recognized at his final performance with the Lawrence City Band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Conductor Paul Popiel gives a speech at his final performance with the Lawrence City Band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Conductor Paul Popiel waves to the applauding crowd.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A Lawrence City Band member plays the clarinet during the final performance of the season at South Park.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Paul Popiel conducts his final piece with the Lawrence City Band ahead of taking on a new role at Notre Dame University.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Lawrence City Band Conductor Paul Popiel conducts his final piece with the band.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Lawrence City Band Conductor Paul Popiel waves to the crowd after his final piece with the band.

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Jacob Rice (he/him), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since March 2026. He can be reached at [email protected].

Read his complete bio here. Check out his photography for the Times here. Read his articles for the Times at this link. 

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