Danner McGarrah’s journey through music

By James Burkhalter

Picture of Danner McGarrah by Lindey Moss 

Danner McGarrah is a senior who is new to Owasso Public Schools. McGarrah has been to three different high schools, choosing Owasso due to its very successful music program. McGarrah has been in choir since third grade, is a five-year OkMEA All-State medalist, a six-year All-District medalist and also performed in the prestigious OkCDA All-State High School Jazz Choir this year. McGarrah is striving to be a music teacher and is going to major in vocal music education to reach that dream. McGarrah has already had a very successful musical career but has faced many obstacles to get there.

“I drive 45 minutes to school [every day],” remarks Mcgarrah.

On top of the 45 minutes it takes him to get to school, McGarrah is enrolled in Jazz Choir, which is registered as a zero hour, meaning that he must be in the building an hour before most other students. McGarrah is not only in Chorale, Jazz Choir, and AP music theory but is very active in them. McGarrah is taking his music education very seriously and fights for his musical career. McGarrah is constantly studying for his AP music theory class and choreographed and taught two songs to two periods of Chorale with help from other students in both hours. 

Because Chorale and Jazz Choir are very time-consuming electives, McGarrah missed many classes due to school activities – yet he still managed to maintain very good grades. Both OkMEA and OkCDA were both week-long workshops in January, meaning McGarrah missed half of a month of material from all seven of his classes and continued to keep up with his peers. Staying caught up with his schoolwork was not an easy task, but he did it because he truly cares about his future.

“This music department has been an experience of a lifetime and … [I] hope that I will be at least half of the director/educator as those that are currently at Owasso,” explained McGarrah.

McGarrah will be attending UCO in the fall and is excited to experience the culmination of all of his hard work. McGarrah’s story showcases the perseverance of a modern student striving to achieve their goals. His high school years may be over, but McGarrah’s journey through music led him here, and he could not be happier that it did.

“I am forever grateful and thankful for Owasso High for welcoming me with open arms and could not ask for a better school to finish off my high school career,” stated McGarrah.