Salisbury Considers Marching Band Trip to College Bowl

The is considering whether to allow the district's marching to perform at the Chick-fil-A College Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. during winter break.

Students would not miss time off from school because the trip would take place from Dec. 28 to Jan.1, when the district is on winter break, Band Director Angela Mosley told the board at its March 26 curriculum and technology committee meeting.

The marching band would play in the half-time show and the parade before the game. The band, which is composed of middle school and high school students, has the option whether it wants its performance judged in the college bowl, Mosley said. Because the band is smaller than many others, the students might not feel comfortable competing, she said.

Mosley said students would be responsible for paying for their trip, which costs $1,000 per person.

"One thousand dollars is quite a large sum of money at that time of the year for any family to come up with," said Committee Chairwoman Mary Ziegler.

Mosley assured the committee the trip is not mandatory. She said she doesn't want anyone to feel excluded.

Mosley said she has met with parents and there has been some interest in the trip. The trip will take place only if she can get a minimum of 15 students, she said.

Mosley told the board she would like the band to attend similar events every four years so students who opt out in middle school still have an opportunity to go in high school.

The board expects to make a decision at its April 18 meeting.