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Ashland Today
By the People, for the People
Ohio High School Band Instruments Stolen at Disney World
Ashland High School Band overcomes theft to perform at Walt Disney World
Apr. 4, 2026 at 11:36am
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The Ashland High School Band from Ohio was devastated when their instrument trailer was ransacked and about 20% of their instruments were stolen while the 100-member band was staying near Disney World. With a performance on Main Street USA the next morning, the band director and community quickly sprang into action to find replacement instruments so the students could still take the stage.
Why it matters
The theft of the band's instruments threatened to derail months of hard work and fundraising the students had put in to make the Disney trip a reality. The community's swift response to get the band replacement instruments allowed the students to still have their big performance and not let the theft ruin their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The details
The Ashland High School Band's instrument trailer was broken into and ransacked the first night the band was staying near Disney World. Flutes, saxophones, trumpets, clarinets - about 20% of their total instruments - were stolen. With the performance scheduled for the next morning on Main Street USA, the band director, Marty Kral, immediately started making calls to find replacement instruments. Through the help of a local music store with an affiliate in Ashland, they were able to acquire everything the students needed within just a few hours to still put on their show.
- The Ashland High School Band arrived at Disney World on Sunday, April 2, 2026.
- The instrument trailer was broken into and ransacked on the first night the band was staying near Disney World.
- The band's performance on Main Street USA was scheduled for the following morning, April 3, 2026.
The players
Marty Kral
The band director of the Ashland High School Band.
Brad Selan
A parent of a drummer in the Ashland High School Band.
Ashland High School Band
A 100-member high school marching band from Ashland, Ohio that was performing at Walt Disney World.
What they’re saying
“To have lost that, personally I feel that devastation for them we can replace that instrument but we can't replace that emotion that story attached to it and that's what breaks our heart the most.”
— Brad Selan, Parent of a drummer in the band
“Our only consideration was not worrying about the vandalism or finding out who did it, the only concern was how was I going to get instruments in the hands of kids so they could have their moment the following morning.”
— Marty Kral, Band Director
What’s next
The school district says it is hoping that insurance will cover the cost of the stolen band instruments. They have also started a GoFundMe page to help the students who lost their instruments.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the dedication and resilience of the Ashland High School Band students, who refused to let the theft of their instruments ruin their once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunity at Disney World. The community's swift action to replace the stolen instruments allowed the students to still take the stage and create lasting memories.
