Members of the Mirror Lake Middle School jazz band are heading to a national competition in Florida in April. The band is working to raise money for the trip with a community concert Friday. Photo courtesy Henry Huntington

They get up early every day to practice, arriving at the school nearly two hours before their classmates. They practice long hours and give free concerts throughout the community. They simply love what they do.

And come April, that hard work will pay off as the Mirror Lake Middle School Jazz band heads to Orlando for the Heritage Festival, a national competition that showcases some of the best young talent in the country.

Under the direction of band teacher Travis Harrington, the kids who make up the band will be showing the rest of the country what they can do.

"This year is exciting because the orchestra will again accompany Mr. Harrington's jazz and concert bands. (Jean) Lenior is the conductor of the orchestra, and she is honored to be representing Alaska's finest middle school orchestra to Florida for competition."

Members of Harrington's concert band also will attend the Heritage Festival, but the experience does not come cheap. The cost of the trip is around $800 per student, not counting airfare, and the group of parents supporting the event has worked all year to help the kids raise enough money.

The students have been offering concerts and sponsoring fundraisers all year. On Friday, the Jazz band and orchestra will perform a concert at Community Covenant Church, followed by a silent auction.

"The free community concert's purpose is to provide a venue and opportunity for the community to share in the excitement and experience Mirror Lake Middle School's band programs at their finest," Toth said. "The jazz and concert bands are really on top this year."

Harrington is indeed excited about this year's national competition. He has taken past years' Coyote groups to competitions in such places as Boston and San Diego, and they have brought home many gold and silver medals, and best overall accolades.

This year, 192 musicians and chaperones will be traveling to Florida. The event is April 15-20.

Fund raising is still going on, Toth said. Local businesses have been generous, but because of the struggling economy, this year, the financial need is greater than ever.

"This year we have more scholarship needs than ever before," Toth said. "A band cannot function with only a few students. They are a group and they will travel as a group."

The music students also are planning a raffle for cash prizes of $1,500, $250, $150, $75, and $25. Tickets will be available at various businesses throughout town. The drawing will be held March 20 at the American Legion Post 33.

For Toth, whose son Matt is in the jazz band, the experience of competing nationally is priceless.

"What an awesome opportunity for our kids to get excited about music, feel pride in their school and their state as they represent Alaska in Orlando Florida," she said. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to grow individually and solidify their community of friends, parents and teachers."

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, February 18, 2010.