While the band spent an evening in sunny weather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, cloudy skies seemed to doom the group to a wet day at Paramount’s Great America, April 13-15.

The three campus bands wanted to celebrate months of preparation for their Family and Friends Concert with the trip to Northern California. They left campus the day after their performance.

“Towards the end of our Family and Friends Concert, it was awesome knowing we got to go ride roller coasters the next day,” Sam Grizz, ’07, said. “I had fun and loved the trip even though it was so short.”

Most members were familiar with the thrill of theme parks, but junior Jong Hyuncho experienced his first roller-coaster ride on the trip. In spite of his fears, Hyuncho first rode on “the Demon”, a ride that contains numerous loops.

?I was really scared,? Hyuncho said. ?I had never been on a roller-coaster before and didn?t know what to expect. The ride had lots of flips and spinning. My friends say, ‘I screamed really loud and my eyes were tightly shut the entire time.’?

Although the rain made it difficult for Hyuncho to fully enjoy the theme park, he claims he conquered his fear of the unknown.

?When I was on the roller-coasters the rain hurt my face,? Hyuncho said. ?I wish we could?ve had better weather, but I am not afraid of roller-coasters anymore. I definitely want to go back in the future.?

The rain subdued towards the end of the day, but students traveled home in damp clothing.

?The bus ride was quiet because we were all tired,? Rachel Guthrie, ?10, said. ?My feet were numb because my shoes were soaked, but I still think the trip was worth it.?

The band now plans to work on concerto music for their upcoming concert on May 15th. The season finale will present all of FC”s bands and choirs, even junior high.

?Santa Cruz (boardwalk) and Great America was fun, but now we are back to work,” Chris Rice, band director, said. ?High School Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble have six new pieces and we don?t have much time to prepare.?

For more information check out the April 17, article, Concert turnout motivates band and the April 13, article, Band celebrates before finale.