Gallup student blowing up a storm

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

Spencer O'Keefe poses with his trumpet in the Gallup High music room. O'Keefe will play the trumpet in the All-State band. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent)

GALLUP — When Spencer O'Keefe decided in the sixth grade to learn how to play a trumpet, little did he realize just how much it would chance his life.

Now, five years later, he's spending more than 20 hours a week during his school hours improving his skills and practicing for more hours at night and on weekends.

But this dedication isn't going unnoticed.

On Thursday, he was inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Gallup High School and is only one of two band members who is a member of the prestigious New Mexico All State Band this year.

"He is immensely talented and dedicated," said Jessica Mullen, director of the band.

A quarter Navajo, O'Keefe is the son of Barbara and Dennis O'Keefe, who live in Rock Springs. His mother works in the Speaker's office in Window Rock and his father works for health services here in Gallup.

"I enjoy playing the trumpet," the high school junior said. "It takes your mind off other things."

The hours and hours of practice haven't diminished his love for music and today Spencer is looking at continuing his efforts even beyond high school and taking music education courses when he gets to college. His long-term ambition is to teach music himself one day.

He's already gotten a taste of teaching in his role as a drum major for the school's marching band and being responsible for bringing some order among the sophomores who have trouble initially playing and marching at the same time, not to mention memorizing those complicated marching routines.

"It's a lot of work but it's also a lot of fun," he said.

Mullen said it's obvious that O'Keefe is having a lot of fun out there or he would not have been selected as one of the state's top musicians.

While music programs throughout the state and nation have been suffering cutbacks, officials at Gallup High said that the district here, and especially Superintendent Karen White, have stood up for the program and its funding.

The music program at Gallup High, said Gary Schuster, the school's assistant principal, provides a very worthwhile service to the student population.

Not only does it provide other students and area residents a lot of pleasure just listening to their programs, but Schuster added that it instills in the musicians themselves a sense of teamwork and pride.