By Abigail Miller 42Fifty Staff Writer
On Wednesday, May 9, the Oswego High School Band Program celebrated the end of the school year with their annual Band Banquet.
The Band Banquet serves to mark a year full of accomplishments for the OHS Bands. It also serves as a final tribute to the seniors leaving the program.
Each year, the banquet has a theme that people are encouraged to dress for. This year, the theme was Mardi Gras.
The Mardi Gras theme was inspired by the band’s Spring Break Trip to New Orleans and Nashville. Many people wore their souvenir t-shirts and mardi gras beads in spirit of the night’s theme.
Seniors got a special memorabilia. They each received a large music note on which band friends could write notes. At the end of the night, the seniors got to take these music notes home to keep.
“I think they’re a good idea overall,” senior Ben Dobberstein said in regards to the music notes.
After everyone had enjoyed their meals, the banquet began with messages from the OHS Marching Band’s three drum majors.
All students in the band program received a patch at the banquet. There are patches handed out to each band, in addition to patches for freshmen and sophomores.
After receiving patches, the Band Directors handed out awards for each band. Awards included Most Improved and Most Outstanding Male and Female.
However, there were a few exceptions. Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony each honored three outstanding players.
The three award winners for OHS’s top band, Wind Symphony, were Caroline Davey, Gavin Davis and Niyasha Johnson.
“I was shocked but also very excited,” Davey shares. “All my friends were so supportive and it is still taking time for me to wrap my head around it.”
There were several other awards handed out as well. Some of these awards were voted on by band students, but others were decided upon by the directors.
The Band Banquet was filled with jazzy music, good food and served as the perfect final event for graduating band members.
“As I was sitting with my friends, I just thought of all the I had been to before and became a sort of happy-sad,” Davey explains. “I was really glad I was spending it with my best friends . . . it’s such a great experience and there is always great people you see and everyone always has an amazing time.”
Abigail Miller covers fine arts and academics at Oswego High School. She can be reached at 15000159@students.sd308.org. Or, contact the publication directly at 42fifty@sd308.org.
Student Publication of Oswego High School, Oswego, IL
