The annual Whitewater Unified School District Band O’Rama concert took place at 3 p.m. Feb. 15, bringing together musicians from fifth to 12th grade to showcase their talent, collaboration and growth. For more than a decade, the event has provided young musicians an opportunity to share their passion and love of music with others within the district. This year marked a special milestone as fifth graders participated for the first time, an exciting new chapter for the beloved tradition.
Held at the Whitewater High School main gym, the event featured a diverse selection of music, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a jazzy rendition of “Whiplash” and a medley of classic Disney songs. These performances not only offered a unique and interesting listening experience but also reflected the students’ musical growth over the years.
Middle school band teacher Justin Kamp emphasized the significance of the Band O’Rama.
“It’s to showcase that growth from the fifth graders all the way to seniors in high school,” Kamp said.
He emphasized that the event also serves as an important recruitment tool for the district’s music program, encouraging younger students to continue developing their musical skills through high school and beyond.
The Band O’Rama also offers older students the opportunity to mentor younger musicians, enhancing the sense of community and connection within the district’s music program.
“Seniors became a sort of pseudo-mentor towards the younger kids and had that opportunity to help lead them through,” Kamp said.
The concert creates a unique dynamic as older students engage with their younger peers, especially when the seniors are paired with eighth graders.
“When the seniors are in the sections with the eighth graders, they’re talking to each other, getting the kids excited for high school and the high school band,” Kamp said.
Alongside the musical performances, a bake sale fundraiser was held during the concert, offering fresh homemade treats to attendees in order to support the school district’s music program.
For freshman clarinet player Asher Downs, who has participated in the event once before, seeing the younger students perform was both exciting and nostalgic.
“It’s exciting to see how the younger kids do, and what they’ve learned so far,” Downs said.
Having started playing in sixth grade, she feels the younger musicians remind her of her earlier days in the program.
Seventh grader Maddox Lippens, a tenor saxophone player, also found the event to be a fun and eye-opening experience.
“It was really fun to play with all the grades, because you see how everyone’s skill changes,” Lippens said.
The Band O’Rama concert proved to be another example of the Whitewater Unified School District’s commitment to fostering a strong and connected music program. Each year, the event highlights the power of music to bring students together, no matter their age, and serves as a reminder of the lasting impact a well-supported music program can have on young musicians.
