Lowell Music Program Goes to Disney World

The Lowell High School Marching Band at Disney. Photo - Randi Zylstra.

4/11/2026

Justin Scott - Info@redarrowpreps.com

The Lowell High School music department spent its spring break in April 2026 in Florida, with band, choir, and orchestra students traveling to Walt Disney World as part of the Disney Imagination Campus program.

The trip included more than 100 students and staff, with groups participating in a mix of performances and workshops throughout the week, using GroupMe to help facilitate a safe trip with the students and a number of administrators and staff.

Disney Imagination Campus provides student groups with opportunities to learn and perform in a professional setting through clinics led by Disney staff, along with select performance opportunities.

Planning for the trip began years ago. Wendy Tenney, Lowell’s Orchestra Director, put everything together from start to finish and served as the lead for the programs. Plans were in the works for years, and back in 2024 Tenney introduced the opportunity and outlined participation requirements. It was then that Band Director Tim Haan and Choir Director Nate Masterson had their programs join as well. Registration opened in January 2025, and fundraising efforts throughout the year helped offset costs for students.

One of the most easily seen new pieces of equipment for the music program has been band’s new marching band uniforms which were on display during football season.

Students visited Disney Springs, EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios during the trip. Students rode popular rides like the Tower of Terror, the Tron Rollercoaster, and enjoyed fireworks at the castle in the evening. Just some of the many fun parts of the trip for the kids (and adults).

Each group participated in different aspects of the program. Orchestra students performed on a stage at Disney Springs and also took part in a combined band and orchestra workshop at EPCOT focused on film music and recording.

The whole crew! Lowell’s music students at the entrance of Magic Kingdom. Photo by Dan Scott.

Senior Corrie Sakowski said the performance and workshop stood out.

“This Disney trip was a great experience, and getting a chance to work with musicians at a place like Disney and behind the scenes was unforgettable,” Sakowski said. “We played in a workshop as a full orchestra with band, including sightreading and a mini-production of music from Moana to be played over the movie.”

Sakowski also participated in the choir workshop as a step-in.

“We learned a musical number from Tangled and worked on choreography, ensemble parts and solo sections,” Sakowski said. “We had a handful of hours, but it was a good example of becoming comfortable with yourself inside the music and the character.”

Orchestra performs at the Waterside Stage. Photo - The Niemeyers.

LHS junior Emma Thomas (Orchestra) said the experience offered a different look at music.

“We got to see some of the behind the scenes of how professional orchestras record soundtracks and even recorded some ourselves,” Thomas said.

Orchestra member, Jenna Niemeyer, said the trip also helped build connections within the group.

“It was such an eye-opening experience to work with peers that I’ve always known but never been close with,” Niemeyer said. “I’ve made so many new friendships.”

Choir students participated in a Broadway-style workshop at EPCOT, where they learned and performed a number in a short time frame.

Choir director Nate Masterson with members of the Lowell Choir. Photo - Cori Wale

“It was so fun,” Percy Wale (Choir) said. “We worked with a professional Disney actress who taught us a full number that we were able to perform. We learned the choreography, music, and lines all in a couple hours.” Wale is one of a number of LHS choir members who was in the school musical this past year, just like fellow choir student Jack Dyer. Dyer said the experience was one to take advantage of.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience, so make the most of it and cherish the time with your friends,” Dyer said.

The marching band performed in a parade down Main Street at Magic Kingdom, creating an iconic moment for the band in front of the big Cinderella Castle. Junior drum major Rowen Creasy said the performance was a highlight.

“The experience of being able to march at Disney was a dream coming true,” Creasy said. “Seeing all my friends and family around supporting us as we marched down Main Street playing our fight song was unreal.”

Bryce Craycraft, who serves as a sophomore percussionist, described the lead-up to the performance.

“We were backstage Disney and then the doors opened, it was show time,” Craycraft said. “We played the cadence roll off and fight song up and down Main Street.”

In addition to performances and workshops, students spent time together in the parks throughout the week. Plenty of fun memories made not just at Disney, but of course the stop to Buc-ees as well on the way back.

The trip brought together students from across Lowell’s band, choir, and orchestra programs for a combination of performance opportunities, instruction, and travel experience.

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