By SHERI STAFFORD
Contributing Writer

Band members discovered the magic of Disney as they performed for an audience of park guests at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida during spring break, March 25 through March 29. Disney is home to plenty of stars, but the students shined as they marched down Main Street U.S.A. giving their best performance.
Before the band headed to palm trees and sunshine, members attended mandatory practices to prepare. Their hard work paid off as they were in the spotlight of entertaining vacationers.

While on the trip, they also enjoyed free time to partake in some sightseeing. Some of the destinations included Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, EPCOT( Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) Center, EPCOT Illuminations Light Show, Rainforest Café, Blue Man Group Performance, The Magic Kingdom Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure, including the new Fantasyland and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

“Playing for a crowd as large as the one at Disney, with audience members from around the world, was an exciting experience,” said band member and freshman Andrew Link. “I really enjoyed EPCOT. Walking around with my friends and touring the other cultures was fun.”

Students from all around the world apply to perform each year at Disney. Now that students are home, they can prepare for the State Concert Band Adjudicated Event, which will be held at North Royalton High School on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26. The event will feature some of the best high school concert bands in the state. The event is free and open to the public.

In order to participate in the state event, North Royalton High School’s wind ensemble, symphonic band, concert band, and freshman band all received a “Superior” rating, the highest possible, at the OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) Large Group Adjudicated Event for District 4. North Royalton was one of three band programs in the state to have four concert bands compete at the event.

Out of 52 federated state affiliates of NAfME (National Association for Music Education), the Ohio Music Education Association is the third largest. OMEA members are involved at each level of music education and serve more than 1.8 million public school students in 612 public school districts and 51 colleges and universities in Ohio.
This Saturday, April 12, the North Royalton Band Boosters are hosting a Band Booster Raffle at Mastro’s The 3-Spot, 13855 Ridge Road, from 6 until 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and include an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner and four drink tickets. Basket raffles and side board drawings will be held throughout the evening. All proceeds benefit the band program.

Band members not only perfect their musical skills, participating in band requires life skills of self-discipline, teamwork, and commitment. Other skills band members need are good eye-hand coordination, a sense of rhythm, and critical thinking. The trip to Disney reinforces these skills and helps the students earn an appreciation for the arts.