Dreams come true for MV bands
More stories from Joan Lee
Band group photo at Hollywood Studios
Over spring break, the Band of Marauders went to Disney World to perform a concert there.
The band left on March 17 and returned home on March 22. The students enjoyed their time at all the Disney parks, beginning the trip with Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom.
“I had a great time on the trip,” said Braydon Garretson, 11. “It was a lot of fun. We went to all the Disney parks. We performed at Disney Springs, where we got to play like Disney performers and not just random high schoolers.”
During the trip, the band participated in an instrumental workshop. This workshop gave them an inside look at the magic behind Disney productions. In this workshop, students sight read music in a simulated film recording session. The original music was taken from animated Disney film segments, and the students had to make their own recording of the arrangements they had. The band got a video playback and click track from this once in a lifetime experience.
The band also performed a concert at Disney Springs, amazing the judges.
“I was really impressed with everyone’s behavior, and [they] represented Mt. Vernon really well,” said Ms. Nason. “They were fantastic in the music workshop, and the clinician was impressed with them. The group did great at the performance, and the judges were also impressed. The chaperones did such an amazing job on the trip, making sure everyone was doing the right thing. I would like to make a shout-out to Music Travel because they coordinated everything.”
The band ended their trip with Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The students, staff, and chaperones enjoyed a private dinner while watching Fantasmic at Epcot. Fantasmic is a spectacular show of dancing water, dramatic music, stunning animation, lasers, and fireworks.
“It was an amazing once and a lifetime experience,” said Sophie Frank, 10. “We got to perform at Disney and see what happens behind the scenes when making soundtracks for Disney movies. I will definitely never forget this trip.”
The students, staff, and chaperones had an experience they will never forget.
