By Danielle Smith

Leader Staff Writer

The Oxford High School Marching Band is taking their show indoors for the annual Band-O-Rama concert.

Everyone is invited to the OHS Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening of music provided by the entire band program.

“We do Band-O-Rama at the end of the marching band season as kind of a marching band concert. It allows us to feature the marching band show inside which is cool to hear and gives us a chance to recognize their accomplishments and recognize the seniors,” said Band Director Jim Gibbons.

The marching band wrapped up its 2019 season this past Saturday at the Brandon Invitational where it took first place in Class AA, which consists of the “biggest schools.” The band also competed at the Lapeer and Troy Athens Invitationals where it took first and second place, respectively. This was the band’s first season competing in Class AA.

This year’s show was The Heart of the Matador, consisting of latin music. Those who attend Band-O-Rama will be able to experience the award-winning halftime show, minus the marching.

While seniors will be going through a lot of “lasts” as the year progresses, those seniors in marching band have already been forced to face some of those difficult tasks; that’s why Gibbons makes sure those students are honored at Band-O-Rama.

“I feel like (Band-O-Rama) gives (seniors) the chance to formally wrap up (the season) and have their parents come up on the stage. We introduce their parents with them and all of that,” he said.

Aside from the latin music that the marching band will provide, guests can expect to hear familiar tunes from Harry Potter, video game theme songs as well as collegiate-level overtures that will be performed by the concert and symphonic bands along with the wind ensemble. The jazz band will open the evening at 6:30 p.m.