This past week, members of the Woodlake High School Band touched history by touring Washington D.C., our nation's capital. Led by Band Director Bethanie Hansen, several students, parents and friends anticipated the band tour for many months.

While in Washington D.C., the group viewed documents at the National Archives, including the Emmancipation Proclamation, the Magna Charta, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independance. Next, they enjoyed a performance by The President's Own - the Marine Band at Sylvan Theater near the Washington Monument. At the conclusion of the performance, Woodlake High School Band members and those traveling with them joined 5,000 other participants and the Oak Ridge Boys in singing the National Anthem.

This performance was a part of the National Anthem Project - designed to promote music in the schools and an increased awareness of the National Anthem.

After checking into their hotel and resting for a few hours, the Woodlake group took an evening tour of national monuments. During this ride, students and chaperons walked the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, posed for photos next to President Lincoln at his memorial, viewed the Vietnam and Korean War memorials, walked along the 7-acre Roosevelt memorial, and enjoyed a visit to the World War II memorial as well. Touring these sights increased the group's awareness of sigificant events in our nation's history.

On the second day of the Woodlake High School Band tour, participants visited the Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian Castle, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, and the Natural History Museum.

In the afternoon, they toured the Capitol Building in two groups, led by representatives from Senator Diane Feinstein's office. At the end of the tour, band students and chaperons entered the House of Representatives gallery, where congress was in session. During their brief observation time, students and chaperons listened to a representative from California discuss current military issues overseas. Tour participants then walked to the Spy Museum and wrapped up an eventful day by enjoying dinner together at the Hard Rock Cafe.

During the third and final full day in Washington D.C., Woodlake band students and those traveling with them toured the White House, thanks to representatives from Senator Barbara Boxer's office. Following the White House tour, the group made some last-minute visits to the National Aquarium, the Ronald Regan Building, and a gift shop.

In the afternoon, Woodlake High School Band students joined 2,000 other music students from around the country on the football field at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the first Drum Corps International (DCI) competition of the summer. During their singing, students were accompanied by musicians from the “Commandant's Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and six other drum and bugle corps as well. Later in the evening, students enjoyed performances by The Cavaliers, the Cadets, Glassmen, Spirit from JSU, Carolina Crown, and the Bluecoats.

Over all, students and chaperons were mixed in regard to their favorite part of the trip. A few stated that their favorite place was the Holocaust Museum, because it touched them deeply, and many viewed The Diary of Anne Frank in person.

Others enjoyed the night tour of Washington DC monuments the most, because they were able to see several important and significant sights all in a three hour period, with background information narrated by a well-educated tour guide. Some enjoyed the tour of the Capitol Building most, because they actually witnessed discussions in the House of Representatives while in session. Still a few others claimed that their favorite part of the trip was the visit to the Naval Academy stadium for the DCI performance. Regardless, those who traveled on the Woodlake High School Band Tour June 13-17th last week learned much, and will forever be changed because of their personal involvement with history and music in Washington D.C.

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