Ashland High School Band’s Unforgettable Walt Disney World Trip
ASHLAND, Ohio – A trip to Walt Disney World turned into a test of resilience for the Ashland High School band, but their spirit remained unbroken even after thieves stole dozens of musical instruments. The incident, occurring just hours before a scheduled performance in a Disney parade, could have derailed their culminating high school experience, but quick thinking and overwhelming community support ensured every student marched on.
The Theft and the Challenge
Roughly a quarter of the band’s instruments vanished overnight during their Florida trip. According to Marty Kral, Ashland High School’s head band director and music department chair, “We discovered it Sunday morning, and the band had to march Monday. They had to think really fast.” This annual trip to Walt Disney World is a four-year tradition for the school’s band, orchestra, and choir, a milestone students eagerly anticipate and fundraise for throughout their high school careers.
The thieves targeted flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and trumpets, impacting approximately 20% of the band’s instruments. “For a lot of kids, those instruments are part of who they are,” said Michael Metcalf, owner of Mike’s Music Corner in Ashland. “They’ve had them since fifth grade. It’s like losing a piece of yourself.”
Community Steps In
With time running out, band leaders contacted Music & Arts, a national music retailer. Two Orlando-area locations swiftly opened on Sunday to rent replacement instruments. “It took two stores to get everything we needed,” explained assistant band director Cameron Dietrich. “But by Sunday night, we had instruments back in kids’ hands.”
A final, last-minute challenge arose when the band found themselves one instrument short. A Facebook message to another Ohio school band performing at Walt Disney World proved to be the solution. A parent from the Anna High School band generously loaned their saxophone, demonstrating a powerful display of camaraderie within the band community.
A Triumphant Performance
Despite the adversity, every Ashland student performed in the Disney parade, some even playing instruments they had never touched before. “About 20% of the kids in that parade were using instruments they’d never touched,” Kral said. “And they still nailed it.” The band played “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story, earning cheers from the crowds and proud smiles from parents.
“They didn’t miss a beat,” Metcalf affirmed. The band is now completing their trip and is expected to return to Ashland on Thursday. Donations and offers of assistance continue to pour in from the community.
Investigation and a Lesson Learned
Local police in Orange County, Florida, are investigating the theft and reviewing hotel surveillance footage. While no arrests have been made, the incident has highlighted the importance of community and perseverance. Kral emphasized that the experience taught the students a valuable lesson: “We tell our kids to celebrate success. And the success here is that no matter what happened, every kid performed. Nobody brought us down.”
You can learn more about supporting music education at the National Association for Music Education.
