GPS Junior High Bands Unite in Performance at Chase Field
GPS Junior High Bands Unite in Performance at Chase Field
Tristan Chavez
GPS students’ musical talents were on full display on Sunday, September 7, at Chase Field. Prior to the matinee baseball game where the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Boston Red Sox, a band ensemble of 240 students, including 210 representing Gilbert Public Schools, performed the National Anthem. Led and conducted by David Larkins, Director of Bands at Desert Ridge Junior High School, the performance gave students an opportunity to play in front of a large audience and the chance to enjoy one of the great American pastimes.
The performance included students from Desert Ridge Junior High, Greenfield Junior High, Highland Junior High, and South Valley Junior High, along with three other schools across the state. “One of my favorite parts was just watching the students as we went through security, in the offices, underneath the stadium, and on to the field. It was really special for a lot of students. For some, it was even their first time at a baseball game”, said David Larkins.
After the performance, David Larkins reported that students felt a strong sense of accomplishment, noting they considered it "an honor and an awesome performance." The impact of the performance was felt not only by the students, but also by their parents. In a message to a GPS Band Director, one parent said, "Watching [my student] play his trumpet at Chase Field brought tears to my eyes. He felt all the emotions - excited, nervous, and most of all proud - and so did I. He's come such a long way, and I truly appreciate everything you do to support and encourage him. This opportunity meant so much to [this student] and his family."
To make the event possible, each participating school used a ticket portal where families could purchase tickets. A portion of the proceeds from those purchases was given back to the schools in support of their music programs. David Larkins also thanks the Arizona Diamondbacks and the efforts of his GPS colleagues - Lisa Ballard, Katie Moorhead, Andrew Locke, and John Bannon - for the seamless logistics and collaboration to make this event special. A GPS alumni himself, Larkins also highlighted the high quality and community spirit of GPS performing arts programs, saying our students acted as role models to support other schools, which helped the event run smoothly.
To learn more about Music Education at Gilbert Public Schools, visit GilbertSchools.net/Music.