Mount Airy Middle School’s chorus students are heading to Disney World this spring.

Between 55 and 60 students in sixth through eighth grade will be making the trip to perform during Disney’s Magic Music Days. They will be singing a 25-minute program in Downtown Disney on April 11.

Bob Chilton, chorus director, began planning for the trip last year since the group had to submit an audition video in order to be chosen to perform. He was approached by students who wanted to go on a trip with the chorus similar to the one he took two years ago to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York. He looked into traveling to New York and to Florida and discovered going to Florida was cheaper, meaning more students would be able to go.

“I know the kids are excited about going. For some of these kids, it’s a really good opportunity for them. Singing at Disney is an opportunity period. It’s a trip they’ll never forget,” said Chilton.

Magic Music Days offers the opportunity for performing groups ranging from choral groups to bands and marching bands to display their talents on an international stage.

“It’s a fun, educational trip. They will get to perform in front of a large international group of people,” said Chilton. “We’ve already started working on our program. We’re singing everything from classical to pop and in languages from Latin to English.”

The group will be spending three days at Disney enjoying the park and will spend the last day at Sea World. The students will be giving up the end of their spring break to go on the trip as they will leave the Thursday of the school’s spring break.

Along with the 55 or 60 students making the trip, around 25 chaperones are going as well, including Assistant Principal Susan Bunch. According to Chilton, having members of the administration is reassuring. It lets him know that the school system supports the arts.

“Without support, the arts are going to go nowhere,” he said. “Trips like this give them an understanding of the arts and the importance of the arts and of travel.”

To help pay for the trip, which is running around $400 per student including accommodations for three nights, seven meals and transportation, the chorus will hosting a number of fundraisers. A BBQ dinner will be held in the next couple of weeks, hopefully in the new commons area at Mount Airy High School before a home basketball game. They are also planning a Longaberger Basket Bingo for March 26 at Mount Airy Middle School. The chorus will also sponsor a Vera Bradley Pocketbook Bingo Feb. 19 at Mount Airy Middle School.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.