The All City Band Festival on March 1 featured performances by George Washington Fifth Grade Band, the Keokuk Middle School K-Det and Concert Bands, and the Keokuk High School Symphonic Band, which meant that the annual event featured the district’s entire instrumental music program.
“During the next hour we hope to entertain and enlighten you with an amazing progression of talent from the fifth grade band to the sixth grade K-Det Band to the seventh and eighth grades Concert Band, to the Senior High Concert Band,” Jim Short, master of ceremony and KMS principal, said. “We hope you will agree that the progress and outcome is truly remarkable.”
Up first to perform was the Fifth Grade Band, which was led by Donna Dahl. Band members performed “Hot Cross Buns,” “Au Claire De La Lune,” “Country Walk,” and “She’ll be Comin’ ‘round the Mountain.”
Then the Middle School K-Det Band that was led by Krystal Bottoroff performed “Soar with the Dragon,” by Rob Romeyn, “Clouds,” by Anne McGinty, and “Aliens in the Attic,” by Tyler Acari. Then the KMS Concert Band, also led by Bottoroff, performed “Brace for Impact,” by Christina Huss, and “Black Forest Overture,” by Michael Sweeney.
The KHS Symphonic Band led by Jesse Deese performed “2001: A Mallet Oddity,” arr. by David Steinquest, “Symphony No. 9 (New World Symphony),” by Antonin Dvorak, “Brave the River,” by Amber Sheeran, and “Halcyon Hearts,” by Katahj Copley.
Lastly the Mass Band, which consisted of students from seventh through twelfth grade, performed the song “Dance of the Shadows,” by Adrian Sims.
Seniors and their parents were honored during the event. The senior band members were Kalie Behymer, Elijah Gibbs, Wyatt Handyside, Abigail Killoren, Trevor Long, Alana Schneider, Josie Marshall, Kyla Muston, Brayden Picton, William Robert Portratz, Eden Schilling, Silas Stevens, and Anthony Stice.
The band directors thanked the Keokuk Music Boosters Patrons for their continued support.