Zoe Marshall (11) concentrated on the sound of their French horn as Westview GOLD marched down Main Street at Disneyland. In neat columns and rows, the band paraded through the park while playing “Star Wars Main Title” and “The Imperial March” from the Star Wars franchise. Westview GOLD played as part of Disneyland’s Star Wars Day, May 4. 

Although Westview GOLD always participates in the annual Rancho Bernardo and Poway parades, the band hasn’t performed at Disneyland since before current seniors were even in high school due to other school bands taking their turn at the parade. Marshall said they felt lucky to be able to experience performing in front of a large, eager crowd at Disneyland. 

“It was a really fun experience, and I’m really glad that I got to do that,” they said. “The thrill and anticipation of stepping out that [Disneyland] gate was an extremely special feeling, especially since we have known about this trip for about 5 months beforehand.”

In her own row for the tenor saxophones, Pauline Onishi (10) also completed the 10-minute route from the gate next to the “It’s a Small World” ride in the back of the park to the Disneyland entrance on Main Street, then back through the middle of the park into Tomorrowland. She said that when she watched a Disneyland parade when she was young, she never imagined that she’d be able to participate in one. 

“I remember when I was really little, it felt so out of reach,” Onishi said. “It felt like something I couldn’t do, but it just shows you that it’s not so impossible. I think it was very exciting to know that there were a lot of younger kids who were watching and maybe they’re like me and they don’t expect that they’re going to be in a parade when they’re older. But maybe watching this parade really inspired them to also be part of that and join band when they’re in high school.”

In preparation for the parade, GOLD has been practicing the music since early April and rehearsed parade-marching in the school parking lot on the two days before their Saturday performance. Marshall said that a big aspect of the band’s preparations was returning to marching, which they haven’t done since they finished the marching band tournament season in early December. 

“We marched around the parking lot for almost 20 minutes, which is not what we ended up doing at Disneyland,” Marshall said. “It definitely prepared us though, and the adrenaline on Saturday made it easier.”

According to Onishi, many GOLD musicians felt extra motivated in the early spring for this performance because of the fun film scores and the opportunity to play at Disneyland. 

“Of course, we try to sound our best all the time, but just knowing that this piece is dedicated to our performance at Disneyland really motivated us and encouraged us to do the best we can,” she said.

Onishi said that the many family members and friends of band members anticipating and following the parade through the theme park made the experience special. Other Disneyland guests moved to the sidewalks to listen to the music and watch Westview’s Color Guard. 

“It was really cool being able to march down Main Street, see the crowds next to you, and see that they’re actually watching you and they’re really interested in seeing you,” Onishi said. “It was just such a good experience to see that all these people are here to support our band.”