Band and orchestra students hit the road Friday for their annual spring trip, which provides both a musical experience and relaxation for those choosing to go.

Destinations for the trip change slightly every year, but this year’s weekend retreat for band will be in the Galveston/Houston area, even including a visit to NASA, while orchestra spends a night in Austin before finishing the weekend at South Padre Island.

“There’s a spring trip every year, but the experience is always different,” senior Jessica Bemis said. “We get to go out of state every four years, and those trips tend to be bigger than most, but we still have a lot of people going this year. Visiting all these places as a group is really fun.”

Combining music and a weekend getaway usually results in a workshop or performance early on in the trip’s schedule, and this year’s spring trip is no exception.

“[Orchestra students] begin the trip with a music competition at the Eisemann Center, but since auditions for next year are coming up, everyone is in a frenzy to learn the music,” junior Giorgia Mastrolorenzo said. “From there, we’ll go to South Padre Island, get to hit the beach some, and just have a good time.”

After performing at the Texas City High School near Houston, the band will spend the weekend visiting Schlitterbahn, Pleasure Pier and The Strand district in Galveston, the NASA Space Center in Houston, and a meal at the Rainforest Cafe.

“My hope is that this is a way for students to digest and get away from homework and all the stressors,” band director Zachary Anderson said. “I really hope they’ll just be able to spend time with friends relax as we get through the final preparations for UIL.”

The respective spring trips also allow seniors to have a getaway with their friends in the programs, possibly for one of the last times.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to go on the trip this year was because I’m not going to see a lot of the people in band, or from school, after I graduate,” Bemis said. “I really wanted to go on a trip where I could room with some of my closest friends and just have a good time with them before I leave for college.”

Meanwhile, underclassmen see the trip as a bittersweet opportunity to see their senior friends off with one last adventure together.

“This year, most of my friends in orchestra are seniors, most of who I’ve actually met on past spring trips,” Mastrolorenzo said. “I’m looking forward to having a farewell send-off for them.”