RHS MUSICIANS PERFORM AT MELODY GARDENS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN FLORIDA
RHS MUSICIANS GO TO DISNEY
(APRIL 11-13) The Riverhead High School Chamber Choir, Jazz Band, & Chamber Orchestra spent the past 10 months preparing to perform in Walt Disney World on an International Stage, and all of their hard work came to fruition at the EPCOT Center's Melody Gardens on Friday, April 12th. (The groups left on Thursday, April 11, and returned on Sunday, April 13.)
The journey started with an audition tape that was submitted online last June and screened by Disney Performing Arts specialists. Once the groups were accepted into the program, the planning began. The groups started fundraising in September in various ways--including a garage sale, cupcake sale, jewelry sale, discount cards, and an Applebees breakfast. Seventy students were invited to perform and the excitement was tangible. Many students had never been on a plane; some had never been out of the state; some had never been to Disney World. The experience was unforgettable!
On Saturday April 13th, one of our students, Taylor Burgess auditioned for the American Idol experience at Hollywood Studios and was chosen among hundreds to perform with 14 other participants for the chance to receive a golden ticket to perform on the real American Idol show anywhere in the country. Although she was not the final winner, we are extremely proud of her performance and participation in this event!
Although Disney Performing Arts on Stage was not a competition, each group performed in a 25-minute show and did incredibly well. Each group walked away with a trophy that they will proudly display for years to come. The trip was a true success, and we are grateful to everyone who helped us along the way.
Here’s what the teachers and students had to say:
“This entire journey is one of my proudest moments professionally and personally. I am sure that this was an experience that will change these students on a level deeper than I can understand and open their eyes to their world in new ways. I am grateful to have been a part of this whole process, and I am proud of all the work they have done and continue to do in these group.” Dena Tishim (Chorus Director)
“Disney Performing Arts on Stage gave us a chance to perform professionally and see Disney Backstage” - Sarah Cook & Sam Colt. (RHS Students)
“Our Disney Performing Arts trip was the most incredible experience, and it will remain in my heart forever!” - Taylor Burgess (Also auditioned for an audition on Am. Idol)
“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to be able to perform in a venue of this caliber. I congratulate Mrs. Macchio, Mrs. Tishim & Mr. Rottkamp and all of our amazing students on being selected to participate and perform on a world stage.” - Sean O’Hara (K-12 Director of Music and Fine Arts)
“It was truly a very memorable experience for both the students and myself. The Disney staff and coordinators are extremely well-organized, and they do their best to help make the students feel like real professionals during the whole performance process. It also gave the students an opportunity to make some new friends and gave me a chance to get to know the students on a much different level. I am very proud of them all!
- Marisa Macchio (Orchestra Director)
“The students worked very hard to get to this point. They should be very proud of themselves. I commend them for their professionalism and focus throughout the entire experience.” - Jason Rottkamp (Band Director)
The journey started with an audition tape that was submitted online last June and screened by Disney Performing Arts specialists. Once the groups were accepted into the program, the planning began. The groups started fundraising in September in various ways--including a garage sale, cupcake sale, jewelry sale, discount cards, and an Applebees breakfast. Seventy students were invited to perform and the excitement was tangible. Many students had never been on a plane; some had never been out of the state; some had never been to Disney World. The experience was unforgettable!
On Saturday April 13th, one of our students, Taylor Burgess auditioned for the American Idol experience at Hollywood Studios and was chosen among hundreds to perform with 14 other participants for the chance to receive a golden ticket to perform on the real American Idol show anywhere in the country. Although she was not the final winner, we are extremely proud of her performance and participation in this event!
Although Disney Performing Arts on Stage was not a competition, each group performed in a 25-minute show and did incredibly well. Each group walked away with a trophy that they will proudly display for years to come. The trip was a true success, and we are grateful to everyone who helped us along the way.
Here’s what the teachers and students had to say:
“This entire journey is one of my proudest moments professionally and personally. I am sure that this was an experience that will change these students on a level deeper than I can understand and open their eyes to their world in new ways. I am grateful to have been a part of this whole process, and I am proud of all the work they have done and continue to do in these group.” Dena Tishim (Chorus Director)
“Disney Performing Arts on Stage gave us a chance to perform professionally and see Disney Backstage” - Sarah Cook & Sam Colt. (RHS Students)
“Our Disney Performing Arts trip was the most incredible experience, and it will remain in my heart forever!” - Taylor Burgess (Also auditioned for an audition on Am. Idol)
“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to be able to perform in a venue of this caliber. I congratulate Mrs. Macchio, Mrs. Tishim & Mr. Rottkamp and all of our amazing students on being selected to participate and perform on a world stage.” - Sean O’Hara (K-12 Director of Music and Fine Arts)
“It was truly a very memorable experience for both the students and myself. The Disney staff and coordinators are extremely well-organized, and they do their best to help make the students feel like real professionals during the whole performance process. It also gave the students an opportunity to make some new friends and gave me a chance to get to know the students on a much different level. I am very proud of them all!
- Marisa Macchio (Orchestra Director)
“The students worked very hard to get to this point. They should be very proud of themselves. I commend them for their professionalism and focus throughout the entire experience.” - Jason Rottkamp (Band Director)