South’s band joined Piece Middle School to take the main gym floor and perform at the annual Band-O-Rama concert on Dec. 17. The concert featured performances for the fifth, sixth and combined seventh and eighth-grade bands of Pierce, as well as the multiple band groups from South. A crowded audience filled the stands as students played a variety of selections, including many holiday songs.

Under the direction of Chris Takis, South’s combined Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble began the concert, performing “You Better Sleigh” and “Pixar Movie Magic.” Lydia Lundberg ’29 reflects on her own performance, as well as that of the middle school students who participated.

“I think we mesh very well together,” Lundberg said. “And I think the middle school kids are terrific and set up for success.”

For many, the highlight of the night was the debut performance of the fifth graders, who performed in their first-ever concert. With many having just three months of experience, the concert marked a turning point for both past and future growth, and according to Eva Wieczorek ’26, it allowed the audience and students to see a future in their musical education.

“The parents and fifth-graders especially feel inspired by the older bands,” Wieczorek said. “They are really impressed and want to continue.”

This continuation has a multitude of avenues on display, as South’s combined jazz and marching bands all made performances. Liam O’Mara ’26 believes that the Band-O-Rama concert serves an important purpose of allowing young musicians to view a possible future for themselves.

“It is good to see what you can do with music,” O’Meara said. “You can do wind ensemble, you can do marching band; all things are possible through music.”