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Diamond Ridge High School debuts drumline and stage band at first school concert
Summary
Diamond Ridge High School students performed the school’s first drumline and first stage band during a school concert recorded for the district broadcast. School leaders and the music director highlighted the program as a milestone for the alternative school, noting many students had not played instruments before joining.
Diamond Ridge High School students performed the school’s first drumline and the school’s first stage band at a concert recorded for the district’s CSD TV, organizers and school leaders said.
Principal Amy Bedkorn said the evening marked a milestone for the school and its students. “This is the tenth year of Diamond Ridge High School. We will have our largest graduating class,” Bedkorn said, adding that the music program and performances were a “dream come true.”
Brandon Lucas, the school’s music director, said many students learned instruments after enrolling at Diamond Ridge. “They have all put in a serious, serious amount of work learning how to play these drums,” Lucas said, describing the drumline’s rapid development. Lucas introduced students by name and encouraged a lively, supportive audience.
Student performers included drummer Zach Smith and drumline captain Aaron Merrill; tenor and snare players Mylan Arriola, Michael Jones, Dominic Sandoval; bassists Taylor Riley and Zayden (last name not specified); and other student musicians introduced during the show. Ryder, a student singer and visual artist, displayed artwork at the concert with proceeds from sales designated for him; Lucas said, “all the proceeds go directly to him.”
School and district staff thanked supporters who helped start the program. Bedkorn and Lucas acknowledged donations and district support; Lucas specifically thanked the principal for donating a drum set used in the program. Jared Tucker, vice principal; Jeff Haney; JP (head of music for the district); board member Karen Pederson; and Assistant Superintendent McKay Robinson were all recognized during remarks for their support, though no funding breakdowns were provided.
Organizers described the concert as intentionally energetic and nontraditional, asking the audience to applaud and cheer between songs. The program mixed drumline pieces and an amplified stage-band set that included covers and student arrangements. At the close of the event, the broadcast credited the production to the district’s student-run channel: “This has been a CSD TV broadcast production for students by students.”
The program leaders and school administrators did not announce formal next steps, additional funding, or scheduled follow-up meetings during the recorded remarks. Information about specific program budgets, grant sources, or long-term staffing plans was not specified in the recording.
