For some fine arts department students, this year’s trip to Walt Disney World is more than a vacation; it’s the culmination of months of rehearsal, dedication and a love for the arts.
From marching in a parade to performing at Disney Springs, students from the marching band, chorus, orchestra and theater programs spent four days in Florida exercising their talents and engaging in fun theme park activities.
“We spent a long time getting ready to play in front of big audiences at Disney World,” percussion instructor Michael Baker said. “It’s a mix of work and play. We typically are busy in the morning with performances, and then have the afternoon and evening in the parks.”
The marching band spent weeks preparing for this moment. Five rehearsals at the Jaffa Shrine helped fine-tune their routine for the iconic parade at Magic Kingdom.
“We got accepted to march in the Magic Kingdom,” band director Larry Detwiler said. “We come through Frontierland and end by marching right down Main Street. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the trip.”
Orchestra and chorus members performed at Disney Springs, a shopping and entertainment district. Meanwhile, theater students attended a Disney workshop led by professional cast members, offering them an inside look into performance careers within the various parks.
“This will be my last trip with the group,” Baker said. “Mr. Detwiler and Mrs. Detwiler are retiring, and the rest of us on staff are stepping back. I’m sure I’ll get emotional during the parade knowing it’s one of my last performances.”
The trip wasn’t just about rehearsals and routines. For many students, this was their first time visiting Disney World, a place known for its unique experiences and artistic detail.
“One of the best parts is just the idea of being at Disney, “ Detwiler said. “I talked to a lot of the students, and a lot of the students have never been to Disney before, so we talked about how exciting it was to see it for the first time.”
Baker, being a Disney fan for many years, also had advice for students going to Disney for the first time.
“Disney is all about details,” Baker said. “We told them to take in what’s around them. Don’t just run from ride to ride — look at how they’ve created this place that’s the most popular vacation spot in the world.”
Senior Gavin Harkins saw the trip as a well-earned celebration.
“It was just kind of a fun last hoorah at the end of the school year,” Hakins said. “We got to ride rides, see some pretty amazing fireworks displays and just have a lot of fun with each other.”
Harkins also enjoyed performing one last time amongst his peers.
“The performance was also pretty neat, “ Harkins said. “It was great seeing my friends and performing one last time before I graduate. “
Ethan Peterman, also a senior, echoed the sentiment, even if it meant performing in less-than-ideal conditions.
“It’s a pretty long walk, especially when you’re in 90-degree heat wearing a tux,” he said. “But honestly, performing is so much fun because you have all your friends there cheering you on.”
Despite the Florida heat and busy schedules, Detwiler emphasized how proud he was of his students.
“It really shows the commitment they had all year to be able to be accepted and to have these types of performances,” Detwiler said. “It’s kind of like a celebration of what we’ve done all year.”
Baker added one final note for the next generation of performers: “Take in what’s around you. Slow down, absorb the magic — and maybe even realize that there’s a future in the arts if you want it. Performing can take you anywhere.”
