Memorial and Legacy’s band will be showing off their skills, making memories and traveling abroad this Christmas season. Both schools have been working hard toward one goal: proving themselves in the 40th annual London New Year’s Day Parade.
“I think the schools will perform well together,” junior Mia Mayfield said. “We’ve had a lot of rehearsals so far and we’re all working hard to make sure we do this right.”
Both bands have been practicing as much as possible and working together to make sure they give the parade their all. They are memorizing music, perfecting their marching and rehearsing turns in order to represent Wichita Falls in a respectable fashion.
“We’re playing the same songs, and we’re working on it,” junior Ruby Guerrero said. “We go back and forth from Legacy and Memorial, so we switch the rehearsals up so they’re combined and together.”
Although the New Year’s Day Parade is an important event, the band is also excited at the fact that they get to visit a Europe. The idea of traveling so far has created excitement among them, especially for students who have not flown outside of the country.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve flown, but the last time I flew was out to Maryland to see my brother,” Mayfield said. “I’m looking forward to getting to travel to a new continent for the first time and having fun with my friends during break.”
The trip’s itinerary includes lots of fun activities, all of which only add to the excitement. The bands leave on Dec. 28 and will be gone for about a week, getting to experience the musical “Hamilton” and visiting the fabled Buckingham Palace, a staple tourist attraction.
“I want to see if there’s any souvenirs in the castle when we go there,” Guerrero said. “That’s going to be so cool, to buy something from the castle. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
However, even with planned activities, there is enough room left for the band kids to explore for themselves. Many have planned out activities and foods they want to try.
“I really want to go to a Sainsbury’s (a supermarket/retail store) and get Rodd’s matcha.” Mayfield said. “I also want to try fish and chips because everybody talks about how good it is up in London.”
The trip has been something that the band has been looking forward to for a long time, and with it coming up so soon, the excitement can hardly be contained.
