News

CHS musicians headed to Disney World to perform, attend workshops

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (April 16, 2026) – During April vacation, 136 student-musicians from Chelmsford High School, along with chaperones and music department staff, will be going to Disney World for an incredibly memorable experience.

Members of the CHS band, orchestra and chorus will be making the trip to Florida to perform, as well as attend some workshops.

The performance trips to Disney World are something that CHS music students get to enjoy every four years. Kate Comeau, CHS orchestra director, said they are always fun and unforgettable experiences.

“For that 25- to 30-minute performance, you are a member of the Disney cast that is creating an experience for everybody,” she said. “I think that’s kind of neat.”

For some students, this will be their first time visiting Disney World, which will likely make the trip even more special.

Organizing an excursion with over 100 high school students can be a daunting task logistically, but the leaders of the CHS music department have been making the process look easy.

They have been tasked with everything from planning the itinerary and coordinating the shipment of instruments to making sure all the permission slips are signed and the necessary allergy and dietary restriction information for students is on file.

“There’s a staggering amount of logistical details that we need to track for this trip,” said Amanda Roeder, CHS choral director. “Every kid is assigned to a flight group, a bus, a primary chaperone, a hotel room; we’ve also been tracking all their medical needs. … A big piece of the job for us is double-checking all those details.”

The students and staff have also been busy preparing musically for the trip for quite a while.

“We’ve been rehearsing for the performances,” said Matt Sexauer, CHS band director. “There is a workshop that we do, as well, so I’ve also been preparing the kids for that. … We’ve been doing a lot of sight reading over the past several weeks.”

Roeder said her favorite part of the entire trip is the workshop students attend.

“They go into this workshop expecting to work and it very much enforces the musical skills that we practice as an ensemble,” she said. “But the end result of this workshop is pure Disney magic. It’s always so much fun to see the looks on the students’ faces when they realize what they have created.”

In addition to the performances and workshops, students will have time to explore and enjoy Disney, spending time at Blizzard Beach, Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

“When they are not with us actively doing something, they are in the park having fun,” Comeau said. “They’re great kids and they’ve been working really hard.”

Many friends and family members are also expected to travel to Orlando to watch the ensembles perform, support the music program and enjoy the Disney experience.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.