Before Jasper’s high school band can go on a trip of a lifetime this spring, they need money, so they’re “fundraising like it’s going out of style.”

“Any way we can raise money and give back to the community as well, that’s what the students want to do,” said band teacher John Thornton, who is taking a group of 25 students between Grade 9 and Grade 12 to Seattle.

This will be the first band trip to leave the country, as they usually go to Canmore for a music festival each year.

“I just thought this year it was time to go a little farther,” said Thornton.

The trip is being organized by Peter McWhir, an educational trip consultant who plans the school’s Europe trips.

While in Seattle from April 25 to May 1, the students will visit and perform in the Sky Church room at the EMP Museum, formally known as the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.

They will also perform for the employees at the Boeing factory, where 747, 767 and 777 planes are made.

And if all goes well, they’ll also perform during the World Rhythm Festival.

“There’s a lot of musical opportunities (in Seattle),” said Thornton, who noted each opportunity will be a good learning experience for the students.

“No. 1, it’s to experience music outside of the school environment,” he said. “If they can put music in another context, ‘Oh look this really does happen in the real world,’ then it helps them with their focus in class and their drive and their passion for music. 

“Also when we travel as a band, when we do a trip as a band, in general it’s a bonding experience. We get a lot closer as an ensemble when we’re staying overnight together and we’re travelling on a bus for 10 hours together.”

And travelling on a bus is just what they’re in for, as they’re opting to ride a Greyhound bus rather than fly, in order to keep costs down and travel with their instruments.

In another effort to keep costs down, the students are finding every opportunity to fundraise, including filling sandbags for Jasper in January.

They’re also holding a Jasper’s Got Talent community talent show next month, with judges, auditions and performances. The event, along with a silent auction, is Feb. 16 at the Jasper Activity Centre.

The following month the group will be holding their spring concert with a raffle and bake sale. 

The concert will take place April 18 at the high school gym.

Also on the books is a bottle drive that doesn’t yet have a scheduled date.