Washington, DC
March 5 - March 8, 2026
The JAMES E. TAYLOR HS BAND is going to Washington, D.C! You'll get to see the Smithsonian Museums, U.S. Holocaust Museum (if available), Ford's Theater, Peterson House, Arlington National Cemetery Trolly Tour, Night-time guided monument tour, Mount Vernon, Air & Space Museum, and more!
Every four years the JET Band and Color Guard take a "BIG TRIP"! For 2026 our destination is our nation's capital, Washington, DC!
We depart Thursday, March 5 (that's the Thursday before spring break) and return Sunday, March 8.
Students and chaperones must be registered by September 19, 2025.
It is important to note that this trip will fall under "no pass, no play" rules. Refunds cannot be provided for ineligible students. Travel insurance is highly recommended. Our travel provider offers optional CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance.
For more information including how to register, a tentative itinerary, cancellation policy, and more visit our travel provider's website: Perform America!
For step-by-step instructions and info you can download to your device click here.
Calling all Band and Guard Parents!
There will be space available for adult chaperones. If you're interested in accompanying the kids on this once-in-a-career trip, contact Liz Johnson at president@jetband.org before registering.
Chaperones on this trip will have a lot to do and a ton of fun doing it! Parents interested in chaperoning on the trip are strongly suggested to chaperone several events during the marching season to become familiar with our policies and procedures.
All adults accompanying the band are subject to all district, school, and band policies, and are subject to background checks via Katy ISD's Raptor volunteer system. If you wish to accompany your students, it MUST be done through purchasing a travel package.
Set up a Contribution Page!
If parents want to set up contribution pages so others can contribute to their child's trip, here is a link that will help! This trip makes a great birthday or Christmas present for family and friends to contribute to help them cover the cost. Follow these instructions to set up your contribution page!
(NOTE: you have to register for the trip to create a contribution page.)
A Message from Mr. Ary:
Katy ISD allows one big out of state trip every 4 years. This year is our rotation to go on our big trip. In 2022 we went to Los Angeles (2021 should have been our normal rotation but COVID set us back a year) and in 2017 we went to Boston. Last year we polled our families and found a price point that most were comfortable with paying for such a trip. We then met with our travel agent and found out what destinations are in that price range. We chose to go to Washington DC!!!
This trip is completely optional – no student is required to attend. Historically about 60-70% of the students do attend this optional trip.
We chose DC because there are many opportunities to explore the Smithsonian museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Old Town Alexandria, Ford’s theater, dinner cruise, Holocaust Museum, National Harbor, bus tour that includes Washington and Jefferson monuments, Spy Museum, and more national treasures that are in DC. We also chose to leave the Thursday before Spring Break and will return the first Sunday of Spring Break so that our students can still have most of their Spring Break to rest and spend time with family.
All expenses are included – airfare to DC, local ground transportation via charter buses, hotel, all meals, admission to the museums, bus tours, dinner cruise.
This trip will be your student’s one opportunity in High School to go on a big trip with the band. This trip will probably end up being one of the big core memories your student has from high school. 20 years from now they probably won’t remember what music they played or what place we got at a marching band contest. They may not even remember how the play an F# but they’ll remember going on this trip with their best friends!
We will also need some chaperones to attend this trip to help us keep our students safely having a great time.
A Message from Booster Club President and 5-year band parent, Liz Johnson
As a parent, I can’t say enough about how valuable these trips are. They’re more than just travel—they’re unforgettable experiences that bring students closer together and open their eyes to the world beyond home.
This year, we’re heading to Washington, D.C., where students will explore iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museums. Imagine walking the National Mall with friends, seeing the White House up close, or watching the Changing of the Guard at Arlington. These are the kinds of memories that last a lifetime—late-night laughs at the hotel and bonding over new experiences.
This will be my second time traveling with the JET Band and Colorguard for the Spring Break Trip, and I truly can’t wait. I know trips like this come with a cost and are optional, but they’re absolutely priceless in what they offer—fun, friendship, independence, and personal growth. My own son made some of his best friends on this trip as a freshman.
We’ve worked hard to make this a safe, meaningful, and exciting adventure—and we hope your child (and maybe even a few parents!) will join us. It’s one of my favorite memories with my son, and we still talk about it to this day. I’m especially looking forward to making this trip with my senior this year and creating new memories together.
If you’re on the fence, I encourage you to consider it. It’s not just a trip—it’s a chance for your child to grow, connect, and be part of something truly special.
