Torrance, CA (March 4, 2015): March 1 was an historic day for the Los Angeles Catholic High Schools Band. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, 54 band and colorguard students from Bishop Montgomery High School joined performers from Bishop Alemany, Bishop Mora Salesian, Cathedral, Chaminade Prep, Serra, Loyola, St. Genevieve, and St. Paul high schools to form the largest Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band yet, for their first-ever performance at Disneyland. Under the direction of Ken Hoffman, Chris Adachi, and Eric Hankey, band directors at Chaminade, Serra, and Bishop Montgomery, respectively, the 187-student group performed in the Disneyland Main Street Parade, to the cheers and adulation of throngs of excited Disneyland visitors. One high school senior was heard to say, "It's a lot of work, but I get it now - it really was totally worth it!"
Hankey and the other band directors were impressed with all the hard work put in by the students. "We're so proud of these student performers,” Said Hankey. “They learned the music and routines on their own, then rehearsed on just one Saturday. And then, they not only looked and sounded great, but they worked together with such a strong sense of Christian community. They really exemplify the best of our Catholic schools!"
The Los Angeles Catholic High Schools Band, in its second year of existence, was made possible by Archdiocese of Los Angeles Superintendent of Secondary Schools Msgr. Sal Pilato, the founding band directors, and a generous grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation. The band has already appeared in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Grand Marian Procession, and the OneLife LA rally, and the band directors are hoping to create even more opportunities for next school year.
To watch video of their Disneyland performance, click here.