The Magic Kingdom got a fresh coat of Green and Gold on Friday, May 19 as 43 members of the Dublin High School band traveled in for a special trip funded by the dedicated efforts of the Band Booster Club and support from Dublin ISD and the local community.
DISD Band director Ronny Luedke reported that they plan to make this trip every four years in an attempt to reward every student in the program.
For four days, students got to explore Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando at their leisure but the centerpiece of the visit was a clinic with a professional clinician who has done a lot of studio recording, often playing violin and viola.
“The clinic was great,” Luedke said. “The kids played really well and were really receptive to instruction. They got a crash course in how studio music works.”
The two-and-a-half hour clinic netted a magical keepsake as they recorded pieces of Disney scores that were set against pictures from “Tangled” and “Mulan” for which the music was composed.
Not every group gets to record two pieces, but the group had some extra time and managed to squeeze the second arrangement in from sight reading to recording in eight minutes.
Luedke said it was a whirlwind of a trip that offered many new experiences for the students, especially since 35 of them had never flown before. The group was so active for the four day trip that the only meal they all had together was at the Hard Rock Café Sunday, May 21.
As kids rushed to take in all the rides, explore and build light sabers, they were exhausted when it was time to head home on Monday.
“The plane ride was at night and it was pretty quiet,” Luedke said.
The band director was appreciative of everyone who made the trip possible, particularly Paul Bradberry and Gary Facio, who had to drive all the way to Orlando with the trailer so the students could have their instruments for the clinic.
“The biggest lesson for them was seeing the process of what professional musician could be,” said Luedke. “That and roller coasters are fun… for most of them.”