School committee approves student trip to Orlando music festival and workshops

The Mendon-Upton Regional School District school committee voted May 12 to approve a student trip to Orlando for a music festival and workshop program later this school year.

Committee members discussed the educational rationale, scheduling constraints and staffing needs before a member moved to approve the trip and another seconded the motion. The motion was approved by voice vote; the record shows committee members responded “Aye.”

During discussion, music staff explained the trip is a recurring, multi-year tradition for the department with a focus on a festival competition and clinician-led workshops. The presenters said benefits include exposure to out-of-state ensembles, a workshop with Disney professional musicians where students “sit down and learn music, sight read, and then record,” and a festival schedule that sometimes places performances on Friday or Saturday. Staff said the district usually leaves Thursday to accommodate flight pricing and the festival/workshop scheduling, and they estimated an ideal student participation of “between 80 and a hundred kids” depending on instrumentation.

Committee members raised concerns about the trip’s timing relative to school days, comparing it to a previously altered international trip where dates were changed to limit missed instructional time. Presenters emphasized rehearsal requirements and that the district prioritizes “work first, then play,” explaining that performing groups will have additional night rehearsals and that combining ensembles may be necessary if instrumentation numbers fall short.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote; the motion passed on a voice vote after brief discussion. The presentation noted the trip’s dates were tentatively listed as May 16–22, with final dates subject to airline and pricing arrangements; staff said exact travel days depend on pricing and festival assignments and could shift by a day or two.