Following last year’s devastating announcement of Lafayette High School Choir and Orchestra’s cancellation of the New York City trip, the groups received news that their annual trip would be a go. Because of the recent rotations of LHS Orchestra teachers, the trips between Orchestra and Choir have been a challenge to coordinate. However, this year the two groups finally pulled off their first trip since the departure of the previous Lafayette Orchestra teacher.
In years past, these two musical groups took their annual trip to Universal Studios, this year they were given the opportunity to see the park’s in-state rival, Walt Disney World. Though it would be a challenge, the students were determined to visit all four of the Disney parks, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom, into their whirlwind trip. Each day, Lafayette students had the freedom to explore the selected parks, with mandatory check ins with chaperones ,of course. Along with allotted time in each of the parks, students were given the choice of revisiting one of the parks on their last day in Florida, ensuring students enjoyed a fun filled day in the world of Disney.
Disney dining cards were given to each student, and most, if not all, certainly made use of it, trying each and every one of the sweet treats exclusive to the park. Not only that, but upon their arrival to Magic Kingdom, the choir and orchestra students had the exciting opportunity to experience their very own band perform in front of Cinderella’s Castle and march down Main Street! They were also fortunate to participate and work together in a Disney Foley workshop. The orchestra joined the choir and dove into vocals, and then the choir took their turn in the theatre realm of the music world. They learned about the behind the scenes of Disney voice-acting in movies and were shown valuable lessons throughout the workshop about work ethic, passion, and opportunities.
The trip was an eventful one for everyone involved and was lauded as a well-deserved break for the hardworking musical students of Lafayette High School. The students were able to enjoy their break from school in the warm Orlando weather and are already planning for next year’s trip.
