The Merrill High School Band has returned from a very successful and memorable trip to San Antonio, Texas. After a 26-hour bus ride, the group dove right into activities, visiting a ranch for a Texas-style dinner and show featuring music and roping demonstrations. The following morning was consumed with visits to The Alamo and Mission San Jose, which are two of seven missions located in the San Antonio area that played important roles in the history of the South Texas area. The group also visited the Tower of the Americas and the famous Riverwalk, San Antonio’s downtown pedestrian attraction. The group took in a bit of fun, as well, at Six Flags and Sea World.
The Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble 1 took part in the Directors’ Choice Music Festival held at Lady Bird Johnson High School, a beautiful facility that served as a wonderful host for the day’s events. The Concert Band received an “Excellent” rating, and the Jazz Ensemble received a “Superior” rating, as well as the award for “Outstanding in Class.” The next night, the group participated in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, the culminating event of the Fiesta San Antonio. The Merrill Marching Jays performed for a live audience of 600,000 people, as well as a TV audience of 2 million on local TV, a broadcast for the American bases in the Middle East, and a TV audience in Buenos Aires, Argentina due to the country’s connection to Manu Ginobili, All-Star guard for the San Antonio Spurs. All combined, this was the largest audience the Marching Jays have ever performed for!
A trip of this magnitude took years of preparation and help from so many people. The Merrill High School Band, its parents, and its directors wish to thank the entire Merrill community for helping to make this trip of a lifetime possible for the students.