“West Side Story” Comes alive once again with Samo Band

Koi Lerner / The Samohi

Sadie Pearlman ('25), a member of the Wind Symphony, watches McKeown conduct as the band plays 'West Side Story

On Feb. 6th, John Adams Middle School hosted Bands on the Road- a concert to generate funds for the upcoming Samohi Band tour. The performers were the top two bands, Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble, playing alongside Lincoln Middle School’s Wind Ensemble. 

The creation of the concert was not instantaneous. Keira Jenkins (’26), a member of the Wind Symphony, speaks on the work they put into the concert. 

“We’ve been working on it for probably a few months,” Jenkins said. “We’ve known about it since the beginning of the year, but both bands have mostly [practiced] a few months, like three I think.”

Samo band director Kevin McKeown holds them all to a high standard, expecting time to be taken outside of class to practice. 

The standout music was the songs from ‘West Side Story’, which both bands played. Wind Symphony played ‘West Side Story’ while Wind Ensemble played four dances from the musical- ‘Scherzo’, ‘Mambo’, ‘Cha-cha’ and ‘Cool (Fugue). The songs were recognizable, a staple in the repertoire. The two bands surpassed the high expectations born from the familiarity, playing each note with such care. Jenkins articulates on how expectations are set for the top two bands and her feelings on the concert itself. 

“I mean, it’s the top two bands. I think there’s definitely expectations that they’re gonna be really good and I think it's going to be great…” Jenkins said. “...But when they hear it, it’s really well known so they’re like, ooh, yeah. It’s gonna be held at a pretty high standard. Mr. McKeown holds us at a pretty high standard.”