Blue Devil Marching Band Makes Plans for Disney Trip
The Huntington Blue Devil marching band is making plans to travel to Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida next February for performances and workshops. The trip is being organized by the band directors and the Band Parents Association.
“One of the goals for the high school band program that both the staff and parents share, is to provide more exposure for our program on a national scene,” said Joan R. Fretz, Huntington director of fine and performing arts. “We have learned that most of the competitive bands take major trip more often than our group does. Some travel every year. This not only increases exposure, but helps maintain enrollment and energy in a demanding program.”
The band trip is scheduled for February 16-21. It will be open to all band members and focus on marching skills, performance opportunities, teamwork building and pride in the program. Special rehearsals are planned that will focus on parade technique.
The trip is estimated to cost $1,100-$1,200 per student. Organizers are developing numerous fundraising opportunities for interested band members. The group will stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort in Disney World and receive a three day Disney pass and a one day pass to Universal Studios.
“Our band parent group has the experience and organization necessary to raise funds to assist our needy students, as well as provide ample opportunities for all students to fund raise to lower their trip expenses,” Mrs. Fretz said. “The trip will be open to all competitive and non-competitive band students and is totally optional. Disney music experiences are well structured and include wonderful learning experiences for students.”
The trip falls within the mid-winter vacation so students won’t need to miss any classes. Mrs. Fretz said next year’s band members “have already started memorizing their music for the fall show, which has great potential for the competitive season. We are interested on capitalizing on their energy and drive to make this a successful and rewarding year for them. The trip will help maintain their interest and motivation to perform through the concert band season and will serve as a reward for their hard work and accomplishments.”
The trip will include at least two parade opportunities, including the “SpectroMagic” extravaganza in Disney’s Magic Kingdom or MGM Studios and a parade down Main Street in Universal Studios.
One workshop will bring the band into a studio to record their own soundtrack to a portion of a Disney animated feature film. Another workshop will “emphasize the importance of discipline, show presentation and movement to dance teams, show choirs, drill teams and color guards. Participants put this insight into action as they learn an actual Disney production number for a backstage performance,” according to a trip overview submitted to school trustees.
Trip participants will be involved in at least three half days of activities, leaving time for students to visit the four parks in the area. Band directors are hoping students will be able to transfer their experiences to Huntington’s parades and performances.
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