Thirty O'Neill Students Perform At Neligh-Oakdale Honor Band

Thirty 5th and 6th graders from O'Neill traveled to Neligh to rehearse and perform in the 8th Annual Neligh-Oakdale Elementary Honor Band Festival.

Over 500 musicians from 30 schools participated in this year's event. They practiced in the morning and afternoon before playing the concert to a packed house. Conducting the 5th Grade Band was Brandi Kawula from Bellevue.

For the 6th straight year, the Percussion Ensemble director was Chad Barnhill from Norfolk. Nathan LaFeber from Kearney directed the 6th Grade Band.

"It's fun to watch the improvement from 1st note to last. You gotta see it to believe it," said Nate Metschke, band director and organizer from Neligh-Oakdale. 

5th Grade Band members from O'Neill were: (front L-R) Hailey Scofield, Ryanne Pistulka, Ashley Pischel, Rachel Hupp, & Sydney Young.
2nd Row - Tyler Deidiker, William Grosch, Isaac Everett, Tate Stuaffer, Karter Otte, & Hope Williamson.
3rd Row - Aurora Heiss, Kyler Dean, Carter Hickey, Emma Wrede, Emily Jaques, & Emma Winklebauer.