The Roslyn High School Marching Bulldogs proudly led off the Presidents' Day Parade at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World on Monday, Feb. 20 during a week that typically has the highest attendance at the Disney Parks and on a day that is the busiest for the Magic Kingdom.

Visitors from all over the world lined the streets of Main Street USA to cheer the band as they played to huge crowds on this sunny afternoon, representing the Roslyn community with an exciting performance, excellent musicianship and fine flagwork.

This parade followed a performance on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Epcot Center, as the band performed at twilight, marching around the World Showcase in a performance that preceded the spectacular "IllumiNations" show.

The Marching Bulldogs were honored to participate in "Magic Music Days" which is part of Disney's Performing Arts Program for youth groups. This program selects elite bands, choirs, and drill teams from all over the country to perform in what is recognized as one of the premier venues for pomp and pageantry. On Presidents' Day Roslyn was the first of three high school marching bands to lead off, the other two bands hailing from Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

The Bulldogs had boarded buses on the night of Feb. 17, heading to Florida with Band Director Pat Patterson, Assistant Band Director Kathy Miller and five Roslyn staff members serving as chaperones, along with Roslyn High School's Assistant Principal Jay Pilnick.

After traveling together non-stop for 24 hours, the group arrived in Orlando on Jan. 19 a bit tired but excited and with a tremendous appreciation of each others' good spirit.

Twenty-eight Roslyn families of band members also traveled independently to Orlando to support the marching band and enjoy the performances. It was a great experience and an enormous thrill for them as well. The Disney program included an early morning orientation breakfast for the bands and their families, over 450 guests in total, during which Mr. Patterson and Ms. Miller were honored along with the band directors from the other participating groups.

The Marching Bulldogs and the band fans parent group express gratitude to the Roslyn Central Administration and Board of Education for their support and great appreciation for the Roslyn staff that chaperoned the trip. They feel especially fortunate to have had Mr. Pilnick join them as well.

The band and their parents also wish to express special appreciation to Mr. Patterson for his countless hours in organizing and coordinating this exceptionally well run trip, and to Ms. Miller for all her work during this trip and throughout the year with the band and color guard.