KINGSTON — Kingston High School jazz and concert bands are headed for fun in the sun.
After more than six months of fundraising and planning, 55 students are just about ready to head to Anaheim for five days of adventure and competition, with some education to boot.
The group leaves April 15 and will compete at the Heritage Music Festival at Fullerton College April 18, before returning home the following day.
“It’s kind of an entry-level festival,” said KHS music director Adam Campagna.
The bands were accepted to the April competition after Campagna last year sent a recording of their music to Heritage last year. If they do well at this competition, band members could be eligible to compete in the future at one of Heritage’s Festival of Gold contests. The Festival of Gold is a coveted, invitation-only competition that takes place in alternating locations around the country each year.
“I think that we’ll actually end up doing pretty well,” said junior jazz ensemble saxophonist Jaime Schultz.
Students have been busy raising funds for the trip since the school year began last September.
Fundraising efforts began with students selling See’s candies, then moved on to Krispy Kreme doughnuts, coffee and car washes. On March 7, the band even hosted a rummage sale. The cost for each student is about $800. Of the nearly $35,000 contributed so far, about half has come from fundraising efforts, while the KHS Fine Arts Boosters have kicked in another $3,000 and Wal-Mart donated $1,000.
Many students have not had time for fundraisers between school and extracurricular activities and are using their parents’ checkbooks to bankroll the excursion.
“They’ve pretty much fronted me all the money, except what I raised,” said Schultz, who generated about $90 in two hours of Krispy Kreme sales.
About $10,000 more is needed to take all students on the trip, so whatever money is not earned through remaining fundraisers like Saturday’s car wash at the Grub Hut will have to be provided by parents.
In addition to the April 18 contest, students will visit Disneyland and the newly opened Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, both of which will give them a taste of what it is like to be involved in the music industry. The Grammy Museum features four floors of interactive exhibits students will have the chance to explore. At Disneyland, Campagna has arranged for students to participate in workshops with studio musicians and see what it takes to make music at the professional level.
“One of the neat things about this trip,” Campagna said, “is that all the kids have the opportunity to earn high school credit.”
Students who participate in the Heritage competition will earn a one semester performing arts credit. R
ight now, Heritage is the only festival provider to offer such credit.
But the trip will be more than just learning and competition. Students will have plenty of time to enjoy themselves at Disneyland and Universal Studios, and will be treated to a pirate-themed dinner in honor of the school mascot — the Buccaneer.
“I’m just excited for the whole experience and to be exposed to music,” said Shane Hawthorn, a senior trombone player in the KHS jazz ensemble.
A group of nine parent volunteers will make the 1,200-mile trip along with Campagna and the students, to ensure the group stays organized and on task.
“I’m really looking forward to the festival,” Campagna said. “Just the chance to hear bands from around the U.S. and internationally. It’s fun to hear what other bands are doing.”
