McKay marching band performs at Disneyland
The McKay High School Royal Scots marching band recently performed at Disneyland, the result of years’ worth of long practice hours — and fundraising.
The mid-February trip, which brought the student performers to Disneyland’s Main Street, USA, was a long way from where the program started when band director Scott Avzaradel re-launched the marching program five years ago.
Back then, the marching band had fewer than 30 students, and wasn’t competing anywhere. They wore hand-me-down…
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What a great story! I don’t have kids or grandkids at McKay, nor do I know any students there…but it doesn’t matter. I’m very proud of what this group accomplished and how they represented Salem. It’s a nice change from stories about the houseless or the constant political power plays that go on at the state’s capitol, although I understand these things are also part of Salem’s story. But we don’t get the pleasure of reading many ‘feel good’ stories in this day and age; especially centered around the community’s kids. Stories like this have the ability to give a person some hope for the future, as the future is in the hands of these young people who worked so hard and did such a good job of showing off their music and marching abilities, and also making Salem look good to everyone they encountered on their journey. Band director Avzaradel deserves our thanks for helping this group come to be, and then showing them what is possible with hard work and good attitudes. Congratulations to all for a job well done!
My name is Gayle Caldarazzo, This makes my heart soar💜. Congratulations for a fabulous job by your band director and all of you students!!!!
My husband Guido Caldarazzo, the second principal of McKay HS , was a huge supporter of the music program’s at McKay: He would be so proud to see what you have accomplished !
Keep up the good work👌. I will continue to follow your success👏
What Marci said! This article brought joy to my morning diet of news.—RonK
Wow! Go McKay Marchng Band. Morning coffee just got better. My wife and I are retired Salem/Keizer educators and we love to see our local young adult highschoolers performing, working so hard, and getting an experience of a life time. Thanks to all the band members’ parents, extended family, and McKay staff for a job well done.
Larry and Mary Jo K.
I watched the YouTube video. AWESOME ! Congrats McKay.
I am so proud of all our Salem-Keizer musicians — especially these kids and their teacher. They accomplished a task that surely seemed impossible a few years ago. Well played!