BLOOMINGTON - The Bloomington High School Marching Raiders will perform in today's Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade of Bands.
The band has performed several times previously at Disney World and was considered a "worthy candidate" for the holiday parade, said senior T.J. Laughlin, who plays trumpet. "They knew our reputation; what we did," he said.
What makes the opportunity more remarkable is that a record number of BHS band students will perform at a time when many bands can't afford the trip. BHS and Glenbrook South are the only two bands from Illinois to participate.
Band director Max Chernick said the students sold everything from cheesecakes to Christmas wreaths to raise money for the trip. "It's the largest group we've traveled with," said Chernick.
The 125 students and 20 adults arrive home Sunday.
Parade practice started at 4:30 a.m. today at Epcot Center. During their weeklong visit to the Magic Kingdom, the band also is participating in another parade.
Earlier this year, the band finished among the top 10 in the 42- band State Invitational High School Marching Band Championship at Illinois State University.
"When we heard our name for the final competition (at ISU) we were really excited," Laughlin said. "That was a high point of my (high school band) career."
California bound
University High School Marching Pioneers are headed to San Diego for the Big Bay Balloon Parade, said band director Jason Landes. Members also will be part of a mass band at the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl during their trip, which runs Dec. 27 to Jan. 1.
Normal Community West High School wind ensemble has been selected as one of four Illinois high schools to perform at the Music Educators conference in Peoria in January, said director Lisa Preston. The ensemble also has been selected to perform at an international festival in Los Angeles in June.
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