As the HHS music program expands, their opportunities do as well. This year 118 band and orchestra students are traveling to Los Angeles and San Diego, California, to expand their musical and real-world experiences. 

The students will be given the opportunity to display their musical abilities in a new and bigger setting. They are performing separately at the DisneyLand SoundStage with a clinician that works on rehearsing orchestras for soundtracks. 

The students will also perform at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in San Diego. There, they will work with music professors from San Diego State University. This experience will expand the abilities of HHS musicians while allowing them to experience a more professional musical rehearsal experience.

“I’m a little overwhelmed because the trip is so long and far away,” said Katherine Brenk, senior. “Regardless, I’m excited as I know it will be really fun because of my supportive teachers and classmates.”

Nora Tycast, director of band, and Alison Swiggum, director of orchestra, have collaborated in the organization of this trip. The trip will open the door to new opportunities and generate interconnection between the band and orchestral ensembles and the HHS music program as a whole.

“We have worked together to create a tour with several types of musical experiences,” Tycast said. “This is collegiate, entertainment, and public performance experience that students would only get from a touring ensemble specifically.”

Aside from diverse playing and performance experiences, the students will also enjoy a variety of fun California experiences. Notably, they will be attending DisneyLand and Disney’s California Adventure. Additionally, they will see the Los Angeles Philharmonics perform in concert at the Walt Disney concert hall and will take professionally guided walking tours of movie filming locations throughout Los Angeles. 

“I’m just really excited to be taking the orchestra and band students on this travel opportunity,” Swiggum said. “It fits with the district goals of being well-traveled, and the students just haven’t had the opportunity to do so due to the 2020 trip being canceled. I also think it will play a big role in building up our community.”

The ensembles are setting off Thursday, November 3rd, and will return Tuesday, November 8th and are excited for the experience.