Hawaii Here We Come: Westminster Marching Band Prepares for Best Gig Ever

On Dec. 5, 73 Westminster High School marching band members will board a plane and head to Hawaii to play in front of their biggest audience ever. The Westminster High marching band will represent Maryland in the Pearl Harbor Parade on Dec. 7. 

Dec. 7 marks the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in 1941.

Band Director Jennifer Jones told Patch that eight battleships, including the USS Maryland, were moored at Pearl Harbor and a band is selected from each of the represented states to march in the annual parade.

"They want marching bands that will not only honor and memorialize what the troops stood for, but for their musical talent as well," Jones previously told Patch. "We didn't apply for this, they came to us."

In June, Jones said raising the money needed to travel ($180,000) in less than six months was going to be a big challenge. But less than two weeks before departure, the band had raised $165,000.  

Joan North, a volunteer and parent of a band member, said that the community came together in an amazing way to make sure the band could make this trip. 

"Over 600 individual donations helped us make this a reality," North said. "To have that much support and to know that the community has faith in us is such a tremendous honor. It's really something."

North added that the local business community was also supportive. BB&T donated $10,000. 

The 73 students will be accompanied by 27 adult chaperones. North said that although the purpose of the trip is to play in the parade, the students will be exposed to far more than that. She said the packed itinerary includes cultural activities, educational programs, touring sites, meeting veterans and even hiking up a mountain. 

"It's not just about the playing experience, it's also about the memories and experience and getting to be a part of the history," Jones said. 

The band will depart in the early hours on Dec. 5 and return the morning of Dec. 10. 

"The students are very excited," North said. "The fact that the performance is so close is pleasantly overwhelming."

"They are focused," North said. "They are very focused on getting the music right so they can pay homage to all." 

Carroll County Public School Superintendent Stephen Guthrie said he's proud of both the students and the community.

"These talented students bring honor to our entire school system," Guthrie said. "I am proud, not only of our students and teachers, but of our community members who were willing to contribute the finances necessary to make the trip possible."

"My advice for our students is to enjoy the rewards of their hard work," Guthrie added. "The experiences will help shape their bright futures."

For more information about the Owl band, visit www.owlband.org. 

Related Stories:

• Why Pearl Harbor is Important for Westminster High School Band Members

• Westminster High Marching Band to Represent Maryland in Pearl Harbor Parade