Each year, students in band and choir participate in Music in the Parks, also known as a “Music Festival.” Schools can attend a wide variety of amusement and theme parks, such as Universal Studios and Six Flags: Magic Mountain.
This year, the AGHS band attended the Universal Studios Hollywood Music in the Park. Students perform and compete at a local high school near the park they chose before heading over and spending the day at their park of choice.
This is a recap of that day:
Saturday:
3 a.m. – While others may be asleep, the AGHS band and choir students are up early, heading off on their trip to Universal Studios. (Photo courtesy of Leah Bozzano)
No photos were taken from 4 to 7 a.m. as students were getting their much-needed sleep.
8 a.m. – AGHS’s band program competed at Hoover High School. They played two pieces, “Mannin Veen”, composed by Haydn Wood, and “Malagueña”, composed by Ernesto Lecuona. Students featured are Leah Bozzano (’26) and Flor Barajas Sierra (’26). (Photo courtesy of Charlie Klopfer)9 a.m. – During the bus ride to Universal, students were ecstatic about their trip, as it’s the most looked-forward-to trip among students. (Layla Owen)10 a.m. – With the view shifted away from music, senior Giana Ogilvie (‘25) enjoys her first and last year with the AGHS band. (Photo courtesy of Giana Ogilvie)11 a.m. – Friends Elle Cameron (‘25), Sofia Stanculescu (‘26), and Jazzmine Munguia stuck together at Universal, going on as many rides as possible. (Photo courtesy of Elle Cameron)12 p.m. – With the fairly new revamp, Jurassic World – The Ride becomes much more intense with two giant dinosaurs fighting at the end of the ride before the drop. (Layla Owen)1 p.m. – Students got to pick their groups for Universal, one group including Kaya Munoz (‘25), Blaze Rivera (‘25), and Ogilvie (as well as Band teacher Matt Barcus and choir teacher Dattilo Guarino). (Photo courtesy of Giana Ogilvie)2 p.m. – One of the most decorated and themed places, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is frequently visited by “wizards” and “witches”, and the conductor of the Hogwarts Express themselves. (Photo courtesy of Giana Ogilvie)3 p.m. – Despite the cloudy weather, the Super Silly Fun Land water area is still flowing, though getting wet was not ideal in the cloudy weather. (Layla Owen)4 p.m. – The Wizarding World offers a variety of interactions for guests, such as Alex Sarabia-Silva (‘26), who purchased his very first wand and robe. (Layla Owen)5 p.m. – Before leaving the park, some students chose to eat dinner at Wasabi, located in the City Walk, offering traditional Japanese cuisine. (Photo courtesy of Charlie Klopfer)6 p.m. – With 18 ensembles, ranging from Elementary to high school, every school packed into the awards ceremony with trophies up for grabs. (Photo courtesy of Sofia Stanculescu)7 p.m. – Seniors Jessica Thomas (‘25), Ella Payne (‘25), and Teah Ross (‘25) rest after a long day at the park. Students arrived during the park’s opening and got to spend the entire day there, though the park closed early due to Fan Fest, leaving a few disappointed. (Photo courtesy of Giana Ogilvie)8 p.m. – AGHS was one of three bands in their division (which is based upon the school’s population) and won third place with a Superior rating. Only half a point behind second. (Layla Owen)9 p.m. – On the way home, AGHS stopped at In-N-Out for a late-night dinner. (Layla Owen)
After having their fill, the bus fell into a soundless sleep as some students rested during the drive back to the high school (10 to 11 p.m.).
Sunday:
12 a.m. – To wake everyone up, the bus driver, Angelo Campas, turns on all the lights, creating a symphony of groans among students as they’re awoken from their slumber. (Layla Owen)1 a.m. – After unloading all the instruments and making sure everything is taken off the bus and put in the band room, students are finally able to head home for some much more comfortable rest. (Layla Owen)
Layla Owen is a junior at Arroyo Grande High School. She is part of the marching band at AGHS but loves to spend her spare time reading and writing her own stories. She loves to read all and any genres and hopes to one day successfully write her own book. Her goal for her first year with Eagle Times is to write articles/stories that catch people’s attention and make people aware of what’s happening in their school and community.
