STC?March Band performs at Homecoming. Chronicle file/Allison Graham

Since 2005 South Tama County High School Band students have received what Director Mike Carnahan calls a once in a lifetime opportunity. That opportunity has been band trips. The STC band has gone on a trip every four years since 2005.

In 2005 the band was invited to march in the National Independence Day Parade. The STC choir joined the trip in 2009 when they travelled to San Antonio. In 2013 they travelled to New York City and they will travel again to the Big Apple this summer.

“This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of our students because they simply won’t be able to do the things that we’re able to do as a group like go behind the scenes of Radio Music Hall or meet some Broadway actors and have a clinic with them or meet a member of the Blue Man Group after the show. For a fair number of our students it also means travelling outside of the state of Iowa. Some of our students don’t even get outside of the border or maybe the largest city they’ve been to is Des Moines or Waterloo. So, I think it’s all about opportunity. And then when you put on top of that the performances, the opportunity to perform for people in a large city like New York. The performances are important for our students as well,” said Carnahan.

Roughly 70 students from STC will by going on the trip from May 23-May 30. While traveling to NYC they will make a stop at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Students will spend time practicing for the NYC performances as well as have time to ride the rides. Once in NYC activities include performing, a tour of Top of the Rock and 9/11 Memorial and Museum, a Staten Island Ferry ride, a Broadway Classroom Musical Song and Movement Workshop, eating at various NYC restaurants and seeing the newly opened Broadway production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Students will also be participating in a service project while in NYC. In 2013 the group went to the Bowery Mission. The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry New Yorkers since its neighborhood came to define the term “skid row”. The service project is something that is very important to the students according to Carnahan. Their 2013 visit was a very meaningful experience. The STC Choir will perform while at the Bowery Mission and again at St. John Cathedral.

The band will be performing at the largest Memorial Day Parade in Little Neck Douglaston. The Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade is recognized as being the largest in the nation. Held annually since 1927, it is a time for citizens to come together to honor veterans and fallen heroes.

“I am looking forward to going out of state and being with my second family. I really enjoy band so I’m going to be really excited,” said Kaisha Struve. Struve is a freshman and plays alto saxophone for the band.

Students are actively fundraising to earn money so they can be a part of the trip. Fundraising is spear-headed by the STC Music Boosters and Mary Jo Cherveny. Their goal is to give students as many opportunities as possible to raise funds for the roughly $1400 per student cost. If there is anyone interested in donating or helping with fundraising efforts, please contact Mike Carnahan at 484-7530 (home) or 484-4345 (High School).