THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
Eagles March On Disney
The Leyden High School marching band marched in step, flying the school's banner down Main Street of Disney's Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Bright yellow feathers in the bands caps gleamed over the heads of 125 sunglasses-clad band and color guard members marching beneath the Enchanted Castle on Monday, Mar. 31 to a crowd Music Dept. Chair Bryan Miller estimated at 30,000.
"It was exciting to march down Main Street, USA with all of my friends and perform for so many people. After the performance, several people saw me in my Leyden Marching Band shirt and they told me how much they liked our band and our color guard," said sophomore percussionist Nikki Hallberg.
The LHS Choir also performed at another event at Disney World in Orlando Fla.
"I liked being together on tour at Disney World with my friends from choir and color guard. We were all there for each other like one giant family," said junior choir and color guard member Tiffany Kujat. "The performances went great and we all supported each other during them,"
"The security officer from the hotel made a point to tell me how impressed his staff was with the conduct of our students," said Miller.
He continued, "I was personally pleased with how well the kids represented themselves and our school in both their performances and their conduct throughout the tour."
The band and choir rolled out of Franklin Park by bus on Saturday Morning, March 29.
Miller said the busses made excellent time arriving a head of schedule.
They returned home on Thursday, April 3 after one day performing and four days enjoying the parks.
Over 1000 Leyden High School music students have made the trip to the magic Kingdom in seven trips over the last 14 years.
The Music Dept. submitted photos and a live DVD to Disney officials who select bands and choirs from across the country to perform.
Miller said no school funds are used for the trip. He said it is paid for with donations and fundraisers.