Mayor Alton Craft proclaimed Sunday, September 20, 2026, as “Oxford High School Jacket Media Day.”

That is the day the 90-minute documentary, “Rubato: Behind the Keys,” produced by the OHS Jacket Media students, will premiere on Alabama Public Television at 4 p.m.

The documentary traces the steps of competitors during the 2025 finals of the Rubato International Piano Competition in Classical and Jazz at the Oxford Performing Arts Center, and marks the first time APT has asked a high school media department to produce a program for its network. The documentary will also be made available to public television stations across the country.

The mayor’s proclamation was part of a red-carpet premiere for the new film held in the Studio at OPAC on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

A reception catered by Hubbard’s Off Main led off the VIP event, which included several tributes to the work of the students and their instructors.

Julio Barreto, OPAC director of music education and Rubato founder, began by noting the success of the Rubato competition after only four years.

“We have an international reach, artistic extension, investment in our young artists and local students, and a strong cultural impact for our region,” Barreto said. “We are known for many things such as Talladega and Cheaha, but when you go to these prestigious schools of music such as Juilliard, Berklee, and conservatories in Spain and Paris, they know Oxford, Calhoun County, and Alabama because of this international piano competition.”

Oxford City School Superintendent Dr. Todd Haynie praised the Jacket Media students’ work.

“We are so very proud of our film students at Oxford High School and all of their hard work in the production of this documentary,” Haynie said. “We are very thankful for you all.”

Barreto was joined by School Board President Dr. Tony Bolten to present commemorative plaques to the production team and instructors who walked a red carpet to accept their award.

Shea Snider Miller, representing U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, presented a framed copy of the Congressional Record carrying Rep. Rogers remarks to the U.S. House of Representatives congratulating the Jacket Media students on their achievement.

“I join Mayor Craft and the Oxford City Council in celebrating September 20, 2026, as Oxford High School Jacket Media Day and encourage all our citizens to tune in and support the work of these young people,” Rogers’ citation reads. “Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary dedication and work of the Oxford High School Jacket Media.”

State Sen. Keith Kelley brought praise from the state capitol.

“We thank you for your talents,” Kelley said. "It’s really exciting what you guys have put together.”

Kelley presented a resolution from the Alabama State Senate which recognizes Sunday, September 20, 2026, as Oxford High School Jacket Media Day throughout the state of Alabama “for the positive impact it has made on this community.”

Instructors Candace Harper and Rebecca Mason Murphy were then invited to the podium to express their thoughts.

“This was a pleasure to work on,” Harper said. “Mrs. Murphy and I treat our program like a workplace. Those kids right there are not our students, they are our colleagues. This documentary would not have happened without this particular group of students. Without their grit and creativity, this would not have happened. Thank you to the parents for the young adults you have raised. You have done a fantastic job and Mrs. Murphy and I cannot wait to see what they do. I am so grateful for this opportunity and how this will look on their resumes.”