North Park Academy of the Arts Band is best known for their history of reaching out to the marginalized through their concerts in children's hospitals, homeless shelters, senior assisted living homes, and orphanages. They have performed in these types of venues in Canada, China, England, Hawaii, Mexico and New York. North Park is the only middle school band to ever march in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade. Ron Wakefield's personal mission statement is to "enhance the moral foundation of every student, to awaken in every student a sense of purpose, and to call every heart to a higher level of unselfish love."

Music Director Ron Wakefield commutes to Mexico every weekend in order to teach his two music programs  - one in a slum project, and one in an orphanage. For the last 4 years Music Director has been commuting every month to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where he has a music program in an orphanage. The commute entails a 3.5 hour flight to Mexico City, followed by a 2 hour bus ride. Five of the children who live in the Al Abrigo de Dios Orphanage will be traveling to the California, where they will meet up with the North Park Band for some rehearsals before traveling to New York City: where they  subsequently performed at Carnegie Hall.

The performance was wonderful  selection of student written music combined with the classics, including the famous "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven.