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Ashland Today
By the People, for the People
Ohio High School Band Loses Instruments in Disney World Theft
Thieves ransacked the band's trailer, but the show went on thanks to community support.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:10pm
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The 100-member marching band from Ashland High School in Ohio had their instruments stolen from their parked and locked trailer outside their hotel near Disney World. About 20% of their instruments, including flutes, saxophones, trumpets, and clarinets, were taken. But with the performance on Main Street USA less than a day away, the band director and community worked quickly to get the students replacement instruments so they could still take the stage.
Why it matters
The theft was a devastating blow to the hard-working high school band, who had fundraised extensively to make the trip to Disney World. The loss of their personal instruments threatened to ruin their big performance, but the community rallied to ensure the students could still have their moment in the spotlight.
The details
The band's trailer was ransacked the first night they were at Disney World. Despite the setback, the band director was determined to make sure the students could still perform the next morning. Working with local music stores, they were able to acquire replacement instruments within just a few hours so the 100-member band could take the stage on Main Street USA with unfamiliar rented equipment, but without missing a beat.
- The band trailer was ransacked on the first night the Ashland High School Marching Band was at Disney World.
- The band was scheduled to perform on Main Street USA the following morning.
The players
Marty Kral
The band director of the Ashland High School Marching Band.
Brad Selan
The parent of a drummer in the Ashland High School Marching Band.
Ashland High School Marching Band
A 100-member high school marching band from Ashland, Ohio that had their instruments stolen while on a trip to 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 Ashland High School Marching 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, and they have also started a GoFundMe page to help the students who lost their personal instruments.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the dedication and resilience of the Ashland High School Marching Band, who refused to let the theft of their instruments ruin their big performance at Disney World. The community's swift action to provide replacement instruments allowed the students to still take the stage and have their moment, demonstrating the power of coming together to support young musicians.
