DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – The Daleville High School marching band is gearing up to head out to perform in Europe.
The Daleville band is accustomed to traveling internationally.
In the past, they have traveled to Toronto, Canada, but now they are headed to Italy to perform in Venice and Florence.
The band will be performing Dixieland, Sounds of America, New Orleans styles, and jazz tunes.
In Venice, students will see St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Bridge of Sighs, the Doge’s Palace, and the Grand Canal. After traveling to Florence by motorcoach, they will see the Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Chiesa di Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchia, Duomo, the Accademia, the Gates of Paradise, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Dante’s House.
The World Strides Organization, which selects high school bands throughout the nation to perform internationally, picked the Warhawks for this Italian excursion.
“I’m so excited as a teacher to be able to allow students to travel and see the opportunity,” said Daleville band Director Mark Nichols. ”When I was 18, I got to go to Europe for 21 days. So, I always had that dream to take students back to Europe as a teacher.”
These students are in for an experience of a lifetime.
“Just the cultural exchange of seeing other students in those countries, being a part of that culture, the food, learning new languages, and exchanging money,” Nichols said.
This is drum major Kayla Smith’s first time traveling internationally
She is happy to do it with her friends and family by her side.
Smith, a senior, plans to pursue a career in business at The University of South Alabama after graduating high school and also plans to be a part of the Jaguar Marching Band.
“This band has been my heart for the past 6 to 7 years,” Smith said. ”I started in the sixth grade and my sister was drum major, so she basically sparked everything in me.“
“We are so happy to represent Alabama, Daleville, and the Wiregrass in this performance in Italy,” Nichols said.
So far, the Daleville marching band has raised over $50,000 for their trip and are still taking in donations.
If you would like to donate, you can contact Daleville High School at (334) 598-4461.
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