A group of musicians from Sidney Lanier School made history recently at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

The students performed in Festival Disney, an annual music festival that draws middle and high school groups from across the nation. It was the first time an ensemble of students with disabilities has performed in the festival. And they proved themselves more than worthy of the experience. The team earned an “Excellent” rating from the judges and praise from the other participants.

“We received a standing ovation from nearly a thousand high school band students, directors and parents from around the country,” said the Lanier director Dr. Don Devito. “After the performance music directors were congratulating us, and the kids were ecstatic.”

Devito says it was a wonderful opportunity not just for his students, but for others who saw them perform.”

“Students from all over the country saw our kids in their band uniforms, kids with Down’s Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and they saw them as high school performing arts students,” he said. “That alone is a victory.”

During the festival, the Lanier ensemble performed ten minutes worth of selections on a variety of drums. Although their appearance was a first for this festival, the students are definitely not strangers to the stage. They’ve performed locally quite often, and last year displayed their talents at a music educators’ conference in Tampa.

“That was an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their abilities to music teachers from around the country,” said Devito. “I want to take them to the same kinds of places other high school kids get to go.”

The students put in many hours of practice, both at school and at home. Devito says they are committed to their music. For example, one of his musicians is a young man with cerebral palsy who is 95% deaf and cannot speak, but has found an outlet in the drums.

“One of the way he communicates is through music, and he really works at it,” said Devito. “Just like any other student, if you give them the opportunity and the time, they’re going to improve.”

As for the students, they say they enjoy practicing their music and the performances.

“It’s fun to play,” said senior Orion Woods. “All the drums are fun.”

“It’s fun,” said classmate Steven Reed. “It’s the best thing for me to be in the band.”