More than 400 student-musicians from every DMPS middle school came together on Thursday, March 28 for the All-City Middle School Music Festival. After an afternoon of rehearsals, the orchestra, band and choir performed an evening concert in the Knapp Center on the campus of Drake University.

A special announcement during the concert was made: the event is being named in honor of Marjorie Spevak, the long-time patron of the festival. During the 19 year run of the event, nearly 8,000 DMPS student-musicians have participated.

A special thanks to the guest conductors who worked with students throughout the day: Joshua Reznicow of the Linn-Mar Community School District and Coe College (orchestra); Mary Crandell from Waukee Middle School (band); and Sarah J. Bouska from Mason City High School (choir).