Rehearsals are in full swing at Parkland Middle School for the grade 8 and 9 band's trip to Disneyland in June.

Last December, the band recorded an audition video and sent it off to Disneyland. They were selected to perform and participate in workshops at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Now, 70 Parkland students are busy rehearsing and fundraising for the trip of a lifetime.

"It's exciting," said Parkland principal Brent Reimer. "They've earned it - they performed and they got accepted and they're practicing now to make sure they bring their best to Anaheim."

Under the guidance of music director Kaley Wasylowich, it will be the second year in a row that the school's older band has been accepted into Disneyland's Performing Arts OnStage program.

"(Last year), it was a wonderful trip. The adjudicator that listened to the students gave them a wonderful review. They played really well and had a great time when they were done there as well," said Principal Reimer.

The trip will be from June 2 to 5 this year, and the 70 Grade 8 and 9 students will be accompanied by six teachers. After performing and participating in workshops, the students will have time to enjoy the park.

To practice their performing skills, the Parkland band held a concert for students at TM Roberts Elementary last Tuesday. The rapt audience listened to the band playing adaptations of popular songs.

Fundraising continues for the trip, with students selling cookie dough, among other efforts.

"If you want to help the kids with fundraising, it would just be a matter of letting a student know or if they don't know anyone, they can call the office and we can set them up with somebody," said Principal Reimer.

For more information, call Parkland Middle School at 250-426-3327.