April 17, 2024
By Sena Fidan
Staff Writer
A crescendo of excitement builds as the band, chorale and color guard prepare to go to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
The group will travel by plane, departing on June 11 and returning on June 15. This is the first time the Music Department will travel by airplane to its destination, which will drop travel time from 24 hours to approximately three hours.
The students will perform in Disney Springs on June 13 and will stay at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort. The trip costs $1,925 per student, but students who participated in this year’s fundraisers will have a reduced cost.
Band director Mr. Chwalyk said the annual Music Department trip, whose location varies depending on the year, is a worthwhile experience for students.
“It gives them the opportunity to experience something new with their peers in a safe environment and do what they love while they’re there,” Chwalyk said.
This is Chwalyk’s fourth time going to Walt Disney World in his past 14 years teaching LHS’ band. He said it is an ideal location for the trip.
“[Walt Disney World] and Universal Studios are the only [locations] that provide the chairs, the music stands and most of the percussion we need on site,” Chwalyk said.
He said another positive aspect of Walt Disney World is the constant presence of music.
“There [are] rides with music, there’s Disney music around every corner [and] there [are] parades,” Chwalyk said. “The musical experience is so intertwined, so much so that I think it is the best experience of all the trips.”
Chwalyk said the trip offers students a chance to showcase their abilities beyond Lyndhurst.
“We [are] ambassadors of Lyndhurst High School and try to show other people out there… what our students are capable of,” Chwalyk said.
“It gives them the opportunity to experience something new with their peers in a safe environment and do what they love while they’re there.”
Senior Maya Wachlaczenko, who is co-president of the chorale with senior Olivia Oliveira and plays the sousaphone and tuba in the band, said the aspect of the trip she is most looking forward to is being with her friends.
“Everyone’s so welcoming and genuine that you can’t help but be yourself and feel comfortable,” Wachlaczenko said.
She said her friends have already planned where to buy food and the rides they want to go on.
When the band performs at Walt Disney World, it will reuse some of its repertoire from the spring concert, which will take place on April 25 at Lyndhurst Middle School.
Wachłaczenko said she hopes the band performs “Melodious Thunk,” an instrumental electronic piece composed by David Biedenbender.
“It changes time signatures, and it… starts off really bad and crunchy, but then it escalates into something really groovy,” Wachlaczenko said.
The chorale will perform a cappella versions of “All the Things You Are” by Jerome Kern, “Elijah Rock” by Moses Hogan and “How Can I Keep From Singing” by Robert Lowry as well as “Sing” and “Take on Me” by Pentatonix.
Freshman George Shekiladze, who plays the piano and tuba in the band, said he is looking forward to performing in a new environment because it will prepare him for his dream career as a jazz pianist.
“As a musician, I want to be able to understand the logistics of moving a large ensemble to a faraway location,” Shekiladze said.
Aside from performing, Shekiladze said he is eager to watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and spend time with his fellow band members.
“I have been to Disney before, and I am extremely excited,” Shekiladze said. “[I look forward to] interacting with all my friends in a completely different environment, whilst also playing music for a new audience.”
