On Monday, October 5th, ten O’Neill High Band and Choir students traveled to Norfolk to rehearse and perform in the 2026 Northeast Community College Hawkfest Honor Band and Choir. They practiced all morning and afternoon, concluding with a concert that included the band and choir performing together on the patriotic song “United We Stand”.

 

Conducting the Honor Band was NECC band director Kevin McClouth. The Honor Choir was under the direction of Margaret Schultz, NECC Choir Director.

Hawkfest Honor Band members from O’Neill included: Kaitlyn Hinrichs, Jailyn Romesser, Riley Roessler, Alex Otte, and Zooey Hilger..

 

Hawkfest Honor Choir members from O’Neill included: Emma Bowder, Yareli Pantoja Martinez, Bergan Belik, Lane Hoefer, and William Roberts.

Senior Kaitlyn Hinrichs commented “Hawkfest was a great experience. It was fun collaborating with others to make phenomenal music and all the jazz.”