Wauwatosa East band marches in St. Pat's day parade in NYC

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Kevin J. McCormick

Kevin J. McCormick

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The Wauwatosa East High School marching band and the choir returned in the wee hours of Tuesday morning from their appearances in New York's St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday. Assistant band director Cara Anderson said 120 students made the trip with about 15 parents and other adults.

Director Jennifer Lato said it was a fantastic experience.

"The kids did a great job."

The 80 band members played "Shipping up to Boston" and "Lord of the Dance" continuously as they marched 30 blocks of Fifth Avenue through Manhattan.

The 30-member choir didn't march, but sang at a mass at Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, Lato said.

The band won best marching unit at the Milwaukee St. Patrick's Day Parade two weeks ago, Lato said.

The big group left Wednesday morning and during the five-day trip visited the 9/11 memorial, took two bus tours, shopped in Times Square and on Fifth Avenue, took in two musicals - "Once" and "Newsies" - and, after the parade, went on a dinner cruise with another band, with dancing and a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty.

Lato said the trip went smoothly, except for a weather delay in their return flight.

The band had last played in the parade in 2005, she said.