SPHS Music Program Performs At Disney World

The Severna Park High School (SPHS) music program loaded up three buses of students and chaperones and headed to the “most magical place on Earth” for its annual spring trip from April 25-29. This year, 130 students comprised of marching band, orchestra and chorus members made the journey to Orlando, Florida, to soak in some fun in the sun and represent SPHS in front of guests from around the world.

“Playing at Disney was an awesome experience and a highlight of my four years at SPHS,” said senior Will Bresson. “Disney World is a place that holds special memories of my childhood, so joining my bandmates to march in Magic Kingdom with crowds of people watching and cheering us on was a special thrill for me.”

The marching band, led by Director Eric Kilby, treated guests to an array of musical numbers including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Houdini” and “Anchors Aweigh” while parading from Frontierland through Liberty Square to around Cinderella’s castle and down the famous Main Street, USA.

“It is truly a blessing to be able to offer this experience to students,” Kilby said. “Auditioning and being selected to perform in the Magic Kingdom alongside so many amazing performers is an experience that students will remember for the rest of their lives. Disney has a way of making everyone feel like they are part of the magic. The SPHS Falcon marching band and orchestra did a phenomenal job; we are so proud of them.”

Under the direction of Sara Metcalfe, the chorus performed several songs at Disney Springs as tourists and onlookers sang along. The choirs’ favorites were “Temporal” by Towson chorus professor Diana Sáez, “Hope Lingers On” arranged by Andrea Ramsey, and “Bonk’ abaphandle,” arranged by Michale Barrett and Mbuso Ndlovu. Bonk was conducted by freshman Jude McCallister.

“Mr. Kilby plans the best music trips,” Metcalfe said. “I am so grateful that he takes on this immense task every year. It was such a thrill to be able to perform at Disney. I was amazed at how many people walking by us in Disney Springs stopped and watched our whole set!

“The thing I love most about these trips is the chance for band, orchestra, and chorus students to get to know each other and form friendships that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Besides being at Disney and experiencing the magic there, I think the other highlights of the trip were the multiple stops at Buc-ee’s.”

Senior Tess Donegan, a member of the chorus and orchestra, said, “Getting to perform at Disney was truly magical! Not only did we get to bring a little pixie dust to the people at Disney Springs, but we each felt the magic in our own special ways: singing Disney tunes as we walked around the park, getting excited to see our favorite characters walking around, or screaming on thrilling rides. I will cherish every bit of it forever, and I am so thankful to have gotten this opportunity and become an honorary cast member at Disney!”

On the last day of the trip, the orchestra also performed onstage at Disney Springs to the sounds of Disney classics “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “It's a Small World” and “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

Junior Sean Monahan of the orchestra summarized it this way: “The whole trip was truly an experience to remember. We were able to share our musical prowess and expertise with the world, all while bonding and creating memories with our friends. It was such an honor to have been able to perform at Disney Springs this year!”

To learn more about the SPHS music program, visit www.sphsmusic.org.