By Matt Felts
The Marching Blue Devils will not be with family on Thanksgiving. Instead, they will travel on Nov. 25-30 to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
“I’m going to miss my family and the family traditions that we have, but this is a once-in-a-life time chance to go to Disney World and do the thing I’m most passionate about,” junior flutist Monica Yerby said.
Thirty-five band members each paid $700 to make the 12-hour trip to Orlando.
Their performance of “Disney Medley,” “Star Wars Theme” and “Mickey Mouse March” will be streamed live on banddirector.com. Their preparation included a practice clinic with John Casagrande, a retired band director from the D.C. area.
While most schools have to apply to participate at Disney World, Gary Smith, the former band director at the University of Illinois, handpicked the Blue Devils after he judged their performance at last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl. Mr. Smith runs the Disney trip.
“It’s an honor that a man with the credibility he has believes that we are talented enough to have a spot reserved for us,” band director Chris Moseley said.
Senior French horn player Austin Marciniak said that he considers the band his family, so even if he’s not with his blood family for Thanksgiving, he will still be with family doing what he loves the most.
The Blue Devils will march at Disney World in a mass parade and play in unison with other bands from across the country including the professional band, the Boston Brass. After the parade, all bands will share a Thanksgiving feast in the Epcot Center.
“I think the fact that it’s not a competition will be better because we don’t have to stress about competing,” Austin said. “We will just be having fun doing the thing we love with lots of others all across the country.”
During their stay in Orlando, the Marching Blue Devils will visit all four parks at Disney World: Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
Sophomore trombonist Rafael Wells said he enjoys the opportunity to entertain people.
“I feel like it’s going to be a good trip because first of all it is Disney World, and we get to visit all the fun parts of it, but secondly we get to be in a Thanksgiving parade surrounded by people who enjoy the same thing I do,” Rafael said.
“Of course I want us to perform well, but this trip is about fun. I want the kids to have a great time on an amazing trip,” Mr. Moseley said.
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