Jarrod O’Donnell

Nora Olsen (9), J. Molina (12), Margaret McCurdy (11), Fletchor Toft (11), and Dean Cook attended the 2024 Musical for All Summer Symposium camp. The main camp was June 24-29, with the optional Leadership Weekend held on June 22-24. It was O’Donnell’s 16th year attending the camp, 15th year accompanying AHS students to the camp, and McCurdy’s third year in a row attending, making her the most frequent student attendee in the AHS group.

Known for having a pep in their step, the AHS marching band has sprung into the school year without hesitation. The 72-member band had its first performance on the first day of school, a turnout that wouldn’t have been possible without dedication and hard work built over the summer and school year prior.

Five members of the school band — freshman Nora Olsen, juniors Dean Cook, Fletchor Toft, and Margaret McCurdy, and senior J. Molina — traveled with high school band director Jarrod O’Donnell to attend the 2024 Music For All Summer Symposium camp in Muncie, Indiana. The week-long camp was held in June at the Ball State University campus. It enriched the students’ musicianship and life skills, bringing skill mastery to the school’s music program. There was also a director symposium offered at the same camp that week, and as a repeat participant, O’Donnell said he “always pick[s] up some tips and tricks on how to be a better teacher“

To prepare for the first performance, band camp consisted of six total days in early to mid-August. Drum Majors J. Molina, Olivia Olson, and Margaret McCurdy spearheaded the camp and led activities that aided with the students’ overall engagement and energy levels. The band was scheduled to perform their half-time performance on Aug. 23, 30, Sept. 13, 27, and Oct. 18. The band will also play “Ex’s and Oh’s” by Elle King for their three parade performances: the Atlantic Homecoming Parade on September 27, the 69th Annual SW Iowa Band Jamboree on October 5, and the Atlantic Fireman’s Parade on October 12. After their last parade, the band will switch gears to not only play as a pep band for home basketball games but also prepare their concert band arrangements for the middle school and high school band concert on December 16.

Because the AHS band/vocal trip was in February of the 2023-2024 school year, the trip’s four-year cycle that was once interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic will resume this school year. The trip is planned for the first quarter of the 2028 year. Any student with free time and instrumental experience can sign up to play in the instrumental pit for the fall musical or show choirs this year by emailing choir director Mikayla Stockhaus. Jazz band auditions will also be open after the marching band season.