Wasilla High School marching band heading to Disney World summer of 2023

WASILLA — The Wasilla High School marching band program recently reached all new heights with a once in a life opportunity, a chance to to travel down to Disney World and perform alongside industry professionals to record a soundtrack for an upcoming cartoon.

“Of course that takes funding. It takes a lot to get all these kids across the country,” WHS band director Jackie Johnson said with a laugh.

WHS students and booster club parents are currently working to raise funds for the trip. They have until May to meet the required goal, and Johnson is confident they will meet their goal thanks to the ceaseless dedication amongst her students and their supportive family members

They do a wonderful job at that. We couldn’t do what we do without them,” Johnson said.

The WHS marching band has numerous fundraising projects and events on the horizon that will help them reach their goal.

The largest fundraising event will be the annual Mardi Gras themed concert Feb. 4 They also have a concert that also serves as a bake sale scheduled for Dec. 8.

WHS students are in for a fully in-depth trip down in Florida. Their itinerary includes numerous points of interest, including performing during the Disney Parade, performing at various venues across the state, and visiting educational landmarks and institutions along the way.

“We’re ready. We’re excited to go. They will learn lot. They’re super excited for it,” Johnson said. “I’m just trying to get them more and more opportunities. I’m trying to get them as many opportunities as I can.”

The WHS has numerous concerts for an assortment of school sporting events and community activities scheduled for the rest of the school year.

“We try to support every sport in the school. We like to perform that’s why we’re here,” Johnson said.

WHS will return to its new annual tradition of performing at the City of Wasilla’s Independence Day Parade along with numerous other functions.

“We always have something going on. We love it when the community asks us to do different things,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that she’s seen an increasing amount of marching band participation and dedication over the years.

“It’s nice to see more and more coming in all the time. It’s the best you can hope for,”

Everything has grown in the right direction it’s a pretty wonderful place to be,”

WHS plans to hold a culminating, pre-trrip concert in April.

“We’re playing music well beyond when I first started it. I can hand them anything and they can do it. It’s a fun group to have. These kids just keep better and better and better.

They do a lot. They take on a lot of extra duties. They volunteer a lot of their time. They’re hard working,” Johnson said. “We have started a lot of traditions here that we didn’t have before.”

WHS band members have developed a close bond and mutual dedication to giving their all.

“This band for me has been a life changing experience. It’s like a whole new family,” WHS student Rigdon Crane said.

The overall sense of camaraderie motivates students to keep coming back and inviting their friends.

“It’s great to know there’s always going to be people here that have your back,” WHS student K.K. Hanson said.

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