Front row: Alejandro Covey, Rachel Carr, Peter Onema Second row: Susannah Toney, Lizzeth Hernandez, Noel Mercer, Elise LaFleur Third row: Yaaron Ammorpour, Harper Ruhl, Sophia Doonkeen Fourth row: Colin Ruhl, Lucas Helm, Alexander Kravtsov Fifth row: Miguel Ordaz-Benitez, Angel Lopez, JohnPaul Henderson

After lots of vigorous practice, All City band performed Jan. 26 at Northwest Classen High School. The students had to learn two new pieces of music that morning during rehearsal, but they had other pieces of music they had for a month to practice. 

“It seemed impossible to learn all the music at first, but after all the focusing and practice, we all played really well and I was surprised honestly,” said sophomore Sophia Doonkeen. 

This is Doonkeen’s first time preforming at All City Band.

“It was really great,” she said. “It was a new experience for me this year, so I was excited to be there.”

The students that went to All City Band claim to have lots of patience and they learned new things from this experience. 

“I learned how important it is to have tons of focus and dedication when you’re practicing something new,” Doonkeen said.

The band played Third Suite by Robert E. Jager The Old Dominion, March by John Edmondson, Joy Revisited by John Edmondson, and Melody by Charles A Wiley. The people that didn’t practice their music stuck out.  

“When you play as a group, it is very obvious which people did and did not make any attempt to read their music before hand, so come prepared,” said senior Alex Kravtsov. 

Their special guest conductor was Jim Meiller. He grew up in Rochester, New York and taught for 37 years in Oklahoma Public schools. He taught at Norman High School and was their Director of Instrumental Music. He is now retired, and he teaches lessons, and clinics honor bands.