The RMHS Marching Band brought their talents to Disney last week. The group visited the park between December 11th and December 15th, participating in a parade and an instrumental workshop.
The RMHS Marching Band, under the direction of Band Teacher Mr. Mulligan, recently finished their competitive season. They placed third at the NESBA Finals Competition with their performance Metropolis. A highlight of their season was when they earned first place at their home show in October.Â
As a closing to their season, the Disney trip rewarded students for their hard work and dedication since August, when the program’s Band Camp kicked off. The trip to Disney marked the first time in approximately eight years that the band had taken the trip down south. This event usually occurs every four years, but the pandemic prohibited one of the trips from happening.
At Disney, students were given the opportunity to perform in a parade through Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom on December 13. They played festive songs such as ‘Sleigh Ride,’ as well as a medley of several classic Disney tunes.
Alexandra Spagnolo (’28), captain of the color guard, appreciated the opportunity to perform in the parade. “It was an experience I will never forget. It’s incredible to have the opportunity to see what it is like to perform at a higher level in front of a much larger audience,” she said.
Additionally, band members went to an instrumental workshop, where they were brought to a backstage Disney sound studio to experience how professional Disney music is recorded. A Disney musician talked to band members about performing professionally. Then, students were able to see what it was like hands on. Members were given pieces of music to sight read and had the chance to produce their own music using Disney equipment.Â
Finally, musicians were then able to record part of the Moana soundtrack, as well as a song from Star Wars. These recordings were taken and played with a clip from the movie itself, so students were able to see their own work alongside the movie.Â
Mulligan especially enjoyed the experience of the workshop for the students. “I’ve been to Disney with different groups probably 10 or 11 times. I sometimes forget, when it’s new to somebody, how exciting it can be…I look at the students as we’re doing it and how excited they are… when they first hear themselves play behind something.”
For the rest of their stay, students were allowed to experience the magic of Disney and neighboring theme parks. The group stayed at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and had access to Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, the Islands of Adventure Park, and Universal Studios.
Members from the RMHS Band report that staff members were extremely convivial and that the trip was a great experience, improving the band overall. Spagnolo said, “I truly do believe that this trip was beneficial to us as a band… I had so much fun at the parks and more importantly, I felt that I was able to get to know the band better as a whole.”Â
A member of the band’s percussion section, Brianna Gagliardi (’27), had similar feelings. “We learned a lot from the classes and it was really cool to be able to do a parade–just us–walking through Disney,” she stated.
This trip was made possible by Disney’s Inspire Arts program, which is a branch of the Disney Imagination Campus platform. The trip could not have been possible without the benevolence and support of the Band Parents Association, as well as the assistance of many chaperones and support staff.
The RMHS Band is not done performing this year, where they will perform at the Memorial Day parade this May.
