THS band learned and laughed in 'happiest place on Earth'

By Gazette-Tribune • March 31, 2011 12:14 am
Members of the Tonasket Marching Band performing down the street in Disneyland on Friday, March 11. Photos by Julianna Griffin

Members of the Tonasket Marching Band performing down the street in Disneyland on Friday, March 11. Photos by Julianna Griffin

ANAHEIM, Cali. – Sixty-eight Tonasket High School and Middle School band members, as well as 21 adults had the experience of a lifetime when they traveled by bus to and from Anaheim, Cali. this month to visit Disneyland.

Leaving on Wednesday, March 9 and returning on Sunday, March 13, the 89 travelers has a lot of fun on the road, band teacher Patti Middleton said.

When the band arrived at Disneyland, they attended a marching band clinic with a music professor from Baylor University who focused on sight reading with the musicians.

“We have things to learn about sight reading,” Middleton said. “We had about one minute to look through from 18 to 24 measures of music and record it and then it was recorded over vignettes from various Disney movies. We are definitely working more to improve sight-reading skills.”

After the clinic, the band marched down main street in Disneyland for one of their nightly parades before having dinner at the Thunder Mountain buffet in Disneyland with actor Jack Black and his family, including his father Tom and stepmother Linda, both from Tonasket. Black also donated $10,000 to the Tonasket Music Boosters which helped make this trip possible for the students.

“Jack graciously talked with the kids and chaperones,” Middleton said. “Disneyland is the happiest place! It is huge with many, many things to do. The fireworks over the castle were spectacular and they were done nightly at the park.”

Middleton said she wanted to thank the Tonasket community for supporting the students.

“Many folks hired students to work and supported us with donations by coming to the auction and potato feeds,” she said. “The Tonasket Music Boosters were tireless in their organization of events and chaperoning on the trip. Thanks go to Linda Black, who helped with organization details along the route. We truly appreciate this community. The High School Marching Tiger Band and Choir will be hosting a thank you concert in June, so we looking forward to that event.”