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Sanibel School Steel Drumming Band heading to Disney World for performance

By Staff | Sep 28, 2016

The Sanibel Steel Drumming Band practiced the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” before school last week to prepare for their big performance at Disney World early next year. MEGHAN MCCOY

Research that began this past summer of the possibilities of performing at Disney World became a reality for The Sanibel School Steel Drumming Band after their audition tape and application were chosen.

“Last year the band made so much progress and I am so proud of them that I wanted to do something special for them this year. It has always been my personal dream to take one of my groups to Walt Disney World to perform,” The Sanibel School Music Director Joey Giangreco said. “I felt like it was the right year and the right time to take the Steel Drumming Band to Disney World. I am thrilled that this group is the first one of my personal groups to go to Disney World to perform.”

Giangreco said the band had to provide an audition video playing two pieces they would be performing at Disney World – “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Hammock Holiday.”

“Throughout the beginning of the year the band had worked to practice both of those pieces and prepared for the audition video, which we filmed about three weeks ago,” Giangreco said. “They are absolutely thrilled about it. The kids took it very seriously and worked so hard for it. Honestly they really deserve this great opportunity.”

Seventh grade student Mason Macalka, who is very excited about the trip, said making the audition video was kind of nerve-racking.

The Sanibel Steel Drumming Band practiced the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” before school last week to prepare for their big performance at Disney World early next year. MEGHAN MCCOY

“I kind of felt nervous inside with butterflies. When it was all done I felt proud of what we did as a band. It looked very good” he said.

When Julia Dry, an eighth grade student, heard that they were accepted to play at Disney World, she was very excited.

“We actually took it twice,” she said of recording the video. “We were all in sync.”

The band also had to submit a group photo showing what their attire would be during their performance, as well as filling out an application that provided insight and background about the group, how many students are involved and the age groups. The band also had the chance to give a few dates they wished to perform.

“We had the opportunity to provide a list of the top four options,” he said. “We ended up getting Friday, March 17, which was our first choice, so we are very excited about that.”

The Sanibel Steel Drumming Band practiced the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” before school last week to prepare for their big performance at Disney World early next year. MEGHAN MCCOY

Osa Nuenlist, an eighth grade student, said she is looking forward to showing people from other places that little Sanibel Island school has an amazing Steel Drumming Band.

“When we found out that we could audition we were all excited, but we weren’t sure if we would actually get into it. But, we knew we were a pretty good group, so we were going to try our best. When we found out, we were really excited,” she said.

Fourteen students – Lisa Arce; Dry; Preston Hall; Liam Horvath; Johnny Jensen; Will LeJeune; Macalka; Patrick Martin; Bella Meyers; Osa Nuenlist; Tye Phoenix; Caiden Rainville; Tatum Reel and Elaina Suslick – all sixth through eighth grade students, will travel to Disney World.

The Steel Drumming Band’s performance will be among the Disney Performing Arts program, which includes bands from around the world. The band will perform a 20-minute set of a variety of repertoire from traditional steel drum to popular music that everyone is familiar with.

Macalka said he is most looking forward to spreading the music with people from around the country.

Since finding out the band has been practicing Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:05 a.m. As the performance nears additional rehearsals will be added after school and on the weekend to prepare.

Giangreco took time choosing the repertoire for the performance, which includes the bands favorite “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Macalka said he likes the beat of the song, as well as the style.

“It brings me back to college,” Giangreco said about his love of arranging and composing music. “It allows me to be creative at the same time. When I bring it to the kids, it’s that much more enjoyable for me and even for them knowing wow their teacher arranged this.”

The students who are involved in the Steel Drumming Band, choose to, due to it being an elective class at The Sanibel School.

“I am very proud of them for all of their hard work they have put in,” Giangreco said. “I am so excited to take this group to do a performance at Disney. I know that they are going to wow the audiences there and they are going to be phenomenal.”

Many of the students joined the Steel Drumming Band as sixth grade students.

Nuenlist joined because it is fun to play a cool instrument that not everyone knows about.

Macalka joined the band because he did not have a lot of musical talent.

“I think doing performances,” he said is what he enjoys the most. “I like to spread the music with everyone who watches.”

Dry said she joined because she used to play piano and has always loved music.

“I like the music that we play that has the island feel to it. It’s just a really fun instrument to play,” she said because not a lot of people know about it.

The band will travel to Disney World early Friday, March 17, perform and spend the day at the park before traveling back to Sanibel.

The Sanibel School set up a Go Fund Me account to help raise funds for their trip. Those interested in providing assistance can do so by visiting gofundme.com/2qck33w.

“It’s a great opportunity for them because we want to celebrate their achievements. It is certainly a very big achievement,” Giangreco said.