Downers Grove North Band To Perform at Walt Disney World on Thanksgiving

The Downers Grove North band has plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, including a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.

The Trojan marching band will be one of only five high schools bands in the country performing in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Parade of Bands on Thursday, according to District 99 officials. 

More than 150 students will march in the parade through Disney's Hollywood Studios, where they will perform a concert alongside guest artists "The Boston Brass."

Parade coordinators contacted North High and invited the band to participate, district officials said.

“We’re fortunate and proud of the fact that we’ve developed an international reputation for giving outstanding performances for major holiday events, and this opportunity is yet another result of our reputation,” said Downers Grove North Fine Arts Chair Brayer Teague in a press release.

In previous years, the Downers Grove North band has marched in the Dublin, Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade; the London, England New Year’s Day Parade; and the Indianapolis 500 Parade on Memorial Day.

Band members and chaperones will depart by motor coach Tuesday, arrive in Florida on Wednesday and wake up at 3 a.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, to prepare to perform. Band members are responsible for fundraising to participate in the tour, district officials said.

Band directors have established a blog (dgndisney2012.blogspot.com) and Facebook page (facebook.com/dgndisney2012 )so that others can follow their tour.

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