Colony High School marching band heading to Dublin in 2025

PALMER — Colony High School Marching band director Jamin Burton made a surprise announcement during a schoolwide assembly Thursday, Oct. 27.

Burton had the lights dimmed in the gymnasium and activated a countdown sequence projected onto a screen. The whole room counted down, not knowing what would happen at 0.

When the countdown was complete, the screen illuminated bright green and decreed that Colony is bound for Dublin, Ireland for the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

No one knew about this because Burton only found out earlier this week and decided to use the assembly as a means of making the huge announcement. Students, staff, and parents were shocked and amazed after the big reveal.

“I love it here. It’s so incredible. I’m like oh my gosh this is happening. We’re going to Dublin. That’s a big win,” CHS Principal Mary Fulp said.

Fulp marveled at Burton’s ceaseless dedication to Colony’s students for many years, never faltering and always going above and beyond.

“He goes really big with our students. It gives so many kids purpose and hope,” Fulp said.

After the confetti fell and the assembly came to an end, Burton returned to the band room and his students.

“I’m super excited about it,” Burton said. “Now we get to start working on it.”

Burton said they’re going to start doubling down on fundraising efforts for the upcoming trip and planning the logistics. He said that he’s confident they’ll be ready when the time comes.

“Our boosters are top-notch,” Burton said.

The bittersweet reality of the exciting news is the fact the juniors and seniors who helped keep the marching band program going through the highs and lows of the pandemic will not be able to attend the trip.

“The hardest part of these announcements is the seniors the juniors… The juniors and seniors try to be excited for them without being to be bitter about it. That’s how it always goes. You lay the foundation for the classes before you to benefit from,” Burton said. “They persevered through the really hard times. I think we’re on a good trajectory. Covid was obviously really hard for everyone. We had a good core of upperclassmen that carried us through that. They worked very hard and learned everything o asked of them. I think they can look forward and see where that excellence has gotten them.”

This trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Colony’s marching band. The band has already gained national and international recognition by participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France.

“We’ve been kind of looking at what we could do that we haven’t done before,” Burton said.

“It feels pretty awesome. We’re always focusing on improving with who’s in the room here. If you rest on your laurels, it goes away super quick,” Burton said. “I always feel like the arts are at risk and I feel like we’re constantly having to advocate for why it matters… They work hard and they advocate for themselves and things are trending up.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com