It’s not unusual for Mahomet-Seymour students to leave the area with their families for spring break.
But students in the Mahomet-Seymour High School Jazz band feel lucky as they spent five days over spring break with their best friends.
The MSHS Jazz Band “East Coast Tour,” as Band Director Michael Stevens affectionately refers to the trip, kicked off on March 19 as the 24-member jazz band landed in Myrtle Beach for a five-day stay.
“Our travel agent is fantastic,” Stevens said. “We’ve worked with her for 20 years. She knows the kinds of things we like to see, things that are kid-friendly.”
When the jazz band arrived at their oceanfront hotel, students headed out to the seaside for the only 70-degree day of the week.
“I’ve never been to the beach,” Hannah Pauza said. “So it was nice.”
Even though the temperature barely broke 60 degrees the rest of the week, Pauza along with her friends, Lydia Magyar, Ethan Harsha enjoyed feeding and taking pictures of the seagulls.
While Junior Kate Dallmier’s favorite part of the trip was being on the beach, she also really enjoyed winning Go-Karts races.
“I beat everyone,” Dallmier said.
Senior Ethan Kaper said that Dallmier was not telling the truth, but the playful banter between the members show how close the group is.
“I think the best part is just spending time with the people, just getting out and going on a trip with your best friends,” he said. “That’s the best.”
Junior Conrad Ebbecke agrees.
“I just like hanging out with these people because they are all equally silly, but in their own way,” he said. “It’s all friendship.”
The East Coast Tour was bittersweet for Senior Nate Smith.
“I’ve been in jazz band since freshman year, so it’s a long time coming,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time in jazz band,” he continued. “I love playing jazz more than any other style of music. You get a lot of leeway, you just explore and do your thing.”
Smith will minor in Music at the University of Illinois.
Stevens said the trip, which happens once every four years, is his way of saying thank you to the jazz band students.
“We rehearse a lot and travel a lot,” he said. “We’re in buses all spring, going to contests and then finishing with the dinner dance. This is just a chance once every four years to thank (the students).”
Stevens also said the jazz band trip is a little more laid back than the marching band trip, which also happens once every four years.
With only 25 students, instead of 200, Stevens said the students are allowed a little more opportunity to just relax.
Students also had the opportunity to zip line, to watch a Legends concert, to eat dinner at Medieval Times and to go to Ripley’s Aquarium where they were able to pet the stingray.
They also spent a day in Charleston where they visited Fort Sumter. A boat took them on a Barrier Island Eco Tour where they looked at shells, hermit crabs and saw an alligator.
“They got to see some things they’d never seen before,” Stevens said.
The band also got to entertain a new crowd.
Their Thursday night performance entertained guests as they waited in line to enter the Medieval Times dinner. Then before boarding the plane on Friday afternoon, the band performed at the Center Court of Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach.
“Anytime you get to play for new people in new surroundings, it’s exciting,” Stevens said.
