And the band played London

By Emily Richmond (contact)

Monday, Dec. 26, 2005 | 7:07 a.m.

HIGH NOTES

The Coronado High School band program, in just four years, has established itself as one of the finest in the nation. Among its honors and awards are:

Preparing her students for a trip to England to perform in London's New Year's Day parade, Coronado High School band director Danielle McCracken offered a few critical pointers for life across the pond.

"We've done the McDonald's conversions,' " McCracken said. "They know it's going to cost about twice as much for a burger and be half as much food -- and you can't super-size."

Coronado is one of 22 American high schools selected to march in the Jan. 1 parade, a 2.2-mile route that begins under Big Ben.

Live satellite coverage of the event is expected to be broadcast on BBC, CNN, Fox News, SKY and CBS.

The school was chosen after submitting an application including videos of past performances. The formal invitation to perform was delivered in person by London's lord mayor during a recent visit to Henderson.

The band's parade program will include Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" and selections from "The Music Man."

"It's a wonderful honor for us and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students," said Henderson City Clerk Monica Simmons, who will be one of 18 chaperones on the trip and whose son is a band member. "In addition to representing the School District, the band members are also ambassadors for the city."

McCracken concurred, adding: "If we had a 'Viva Henderson,' we'd do that, too."

In addition to prepping her students to navigate Britain's fast food courts, McCracken has reminded the 70 students that the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights will not be traveling with them.

"They know if they get into trouble there won't be a whole lot we can do for them," said McCracken, who added that she does not anticipate any problems. "I've suggested they imagine that the entire school has been levitated and put wherever we end up and that all the same rules apply."

The cost of the six-day trip -- about $2,000 per student -- was covered by donations and fund-raisers.

Danielle French, a flutist and junior at Coronado, earned about $750 selling flowers at graduation ceremonies at UNLV. She and her bandmates also have been holding bake sales and car washes since last spring, when the school was notified that it had been selected for the parade.

French said she has been studying up on London as well as Stonehenge and Bath, two historic sites that the band will visit between rehearsals and performances.

"We've all seen the pictures, but to actually stand there will be like a dream," French said. "I've been counting down the days on my calendar."

As for parade day, Coronado junior Nate Hsu has been making daily checks on the Internet for London's weather forecast.

"I'm hoping it's not going to be too cold or wet," said Hsu, who plays the clarinet.

While having one eye on the skies, Hsu also plans to keep a close watch out for some of London's more famous residents.

"I'm interested in meeting the queen," Hsu said. "If she was coming down the street, I would definitely say hello."

Emily Richmond can be reached at 259-8829 or at emily@lasvegassun.com.