Walt Disney World Resort in Florida remains one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, but few get to experience it the way members of the Bridgeport High School Band recently did.

 

Just prior to Christmas, the Pride of the Tribe Marching Band, as well as the school’s Jazz Band, had the opportunity to perform at Disney.

 

“We left on Wednesday, December 11^th and we were back on the 15^th,” Bridgeport Band Director Chris Hayslette said. “The marching band performed at the Magic Kingdom and that was on Friday the 13^th actually. The jazz band performed at Disney Springs on Saturday, the 14^th.

 

“We try to do that as much as we can, especially when we are going on a big trip. We try and take more than just one group.

 

“I think all the kids had a blast. It’s fun to watch them have a good time and experience that because a lot of people never get that opportunity, especially the parade aspect of performing. A lot of people never get to see that. They got to go backstage and see what goes on behind the scenes.

 

“Disney makes a big deal about making sure they are one of the cast members that day. I think that’s really neat for the kids and it’s fun to see them get excited about that. And then obviously, you have the whole theme park and they like the rides and all of that. But the performing aspect is something not everybody gets to experience.”

 

Drum Major Paisley Adlington said the trip was full of great memories.

 

“When you are marching through the Magic Kingdom and you are marching down Main Street and then you go in front of Cinderella’s castle with everyone in the park stopping and paying attention to you, it’s a really surreal experience.

 

“It was a really great bonding experience with all the band members. While the season was a general bonding experience, I think the entire bus ride down and just being able to be with everyone inside all the parks at Walt Disney World was just a really magical performance you weren’t going to be able to find back here in West Virginia.”

 

Adlington pulled double duty in Florida, not only performing with the marching band but the jazz band as well.

 

“Both were enjoyable, but in completely different ways,” she said. “The marching band performance was in Magic Kingdom and we actually got to march down the streets and there were people lined up on the streets to see all of us.

 

“The jazz performance was on a stage at the local shopping district where people could just stop by and listen for a minute.”

 

While there is plenty of fun to be had at Disney, the BHS bands were also there on business — to deliver the type of top-notch performances they are known for. And that’s something everybody involved takes seriously.

 

“Not only us but Disney as well,” Hayslette said. “They take it very seriously. They’ve got high standards. You can apply to perform at Disney and they’re like, ‘Great, send us a video of you performing and send us what your uniforms look like.’ There are a lot of hoops you have to jump through before they say, ‘Yes, we would like to have you come and perform.’

 

“We typically go there about every four years. Our philosophy is if you try to go every four years, all the kids get a chance to go.”

 

Although it was difficult to pick just one thing that stood out over everything on the trip, Adlington said she would choose the backstage aspect at the Magic Kingdom.

 

“When we got there the first day, being backstage and just realizing we were at the Magic Kingdom and about to do something amazing. It was kind of like getting a look behind the curtain at how everything is put together. That was definitely a great experience.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the BHS Marching Band. The second photo shows BHS Band Director Chris Hayslette, while the third one features BHS Drum Major Paisley Adlington. The bottom photo features the BHS Jazz Band performing. All photos courtesy of the BHS Band Facebook page.