It’s a bit of a tradition for the Butler County school’s marching band program having been invited to perform four times before, said Band Director Darren Ling, but it doesn’t get old.
“We do it every four years so a kid in their high school career has a chance to go one time,” said Ling.
“This is the largest group we’ve ever taken — 211 kids on five charter buses,” said Ling, who added that 28 chaperones also accompanied the teens on the spring break trip.
The band also toured Universal Studios in Florida and other area attractions as part of the five-day trip.
“But the big show is the Magic Kingdom Parade,” he said.
The band members’ parents, boosters and community donors pay for the trip.
“It’s a great experience for the kids. They are working so hard and it’s been great to see something like this raise their level of performance as they take pride in representing Fairfield,” said Ling.
Emily Rose, senior at Fairfield, plays trumpet in the band and was thrilled about her first trip to Disney World.
“I am extremely excited. I think it will be a really cool opportunity. We are going to be marching down Main Street at Disney World,” Rose said.
Big stages are nothing new to Fairfield’s widely acclaimed music programs.
The school’s famous Fairfield Choraliers is celebrating its 51st anniversary and in recent years has given dozens of top performances in international and national competitions over the years including the 2012 World Choir Games held in Cincinnati.
The show choir is honored with road signs leading into the city and has long been a source of pride for the entire community.
Fairfield Schools Spokeswoman Gina Gentry-Fletcher said “our supportive parents and devoted teachers help make this trip possible. Our fine arts program is top-notch, and we are proud of the reputation that our music students have earned through performances such as this.”
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