Fairhope Band Goes to Chicago

By Chad Petri Reporter

Fairhope’s High School marching band is heading to Chicago. They’ll represent Alabama in the Windy City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Fairhope Band Goes to Chicago

Published: Tue, March 11, 2008 - 3:28 am Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 9:11 pm

Chad Petri

Fairhope High School marching band warms up for a trip to the windy city. It's their biggest trip ever.

“Oh it's crazy, I've never been on national TV, I mean even this is pretty nervous,” says tuba player Gabel Jackson. “So I hope I don't mess up.”

Jackson says he's a little nervous since it will be his first time on a plane and first time going through airport security. The kids work on an Irish musical medley. The parade will put more than 100 gulf coast students in the national spotlight.

“I think it's important for the rest of the country to see what's happening band-wise in south Alabama and in Fairhope,” says band director Will Duncan.

He says the parade is a good fit for Fairhope, since it's big, but not too big. At more than $1400 a head, it's their most expensive trip ever.

“The kids have been working very hard to fund raise through different events fundraisers that we've had @ the school,” says Duncan. “The city has been generous enough to give us $2500 to help us.”

When preparing for a trip of this size, you have to consider many things, for example--paperwork for more than 170 people and hours and hours of practice.

“We're hoping to represent with as much dignity and purpose as possible and we're excited about it,” says Duncan.

Students are working hard to make sure their performance is up to snuff. Between the flight and parade, many want to take in some rare sights.

“I think we might be seeing snow,” says saxophone player Blair Zaricore. “Definitely mess around in the snow because we never see it here and maybe check out some music stores. I'm into music and stuff, I'm a band nerd.”

You can catch a glimpse of the Fairhope band Saturday afternoon at noon. Chicago TV station WGN will broadcast it live. The station is carried on many local cable systems.