Traveling even once to perform in China would be a mark of distinction for any high school band. But for the North Monterey County High School band, going back for an amazing fourth time is the goal for 2012. But the road leading back there has been a rough one, due to a sinking economy and hard times for some families of band students. That's why the NMCHS Band Boosters is holding meetings throughout the summer to keep parents and students on track with fundraising efforts. Band students are doing whatever they can to raise money — from writing letters to local businesses to holding bake sales. "We're challenging a bad economy," said band director D.L. Johnson, who notes that the band would have made the trip this year except for the downturn. "We've got a number of students where both parents are out of work. We're trying to make sure that every child who wants to go has the opportunity to go." Johnson, who has taken previous NMCHS bands to China three times, most recently in 2009, intends to take about 120 students as well as teachers, parents and community members. But such an undertaking isn't cheap. The 12-day trip, slated for next March, costs $3,100 per student and $3,400 for each adult, for an estimated $365,000 in all. All expenses are paid by those who go on the tour. Although the trip is a bargain in terms of the hotels they stay at and the sights they get to see, it's still a lot of money. The Castroville high school is in one of the county's most economically depressed areas. For these students, the trip is truly a life-changing experience. "Some of these kids have never even been out of California. Some of them have never been on an airplane," said Johnson. "We have to teach them how to fly, how to pack their bags, how to deal with money. We also teach them a few words of Chinese and about respecting a different culture." Being respectful and following the rules are essential on this tour. Other high school bands have not, like one where band members were caught with alcohol — and asked to leave the country, Johnson said. But because past tours by the NMCHS band have been so well received, and the band is so well known now in China, officials are clamoring to have the group come back once more. Because of Johnson's close ties with people in China, the band was invited to visit once more, and will tour not only Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an, but also the south-central Chinese province of Quangxi, considered one of the most beautiful parts of the country. "There has never been an American high school performing group in this particular part of China before," said Johnson. On past China trips, the band has demonstrated its many facets — as a marching band, concert band and jazz band. On the 2009 tour, it performed in nine parades and concerts, including one for the governor and vice governor of Hebei Province. Johnson calls it the "Peace Through Music Friendship Tour," and says it's not just a chance for students to perform, but also is a cultural exchange between the NMCHS students and high school students in China. "It's an exchange of music, dance and art between the students," he said. "It's amazing to see the kids talking to each other. The Chinese students love trying out their English on American kids." And the camaraderie doesn't end there. The students often exchange email addresses and keep in touch after the North Monterey County students return home. Johnson also believes that these trips strengthen the ties between China and the North Monterey County community. "It opens up doors for our community ... in education and the arts, in business and agriculture," he said. The Band Boosters are now making plans to meet over the summer to keep the fundraising effort rolling. Booster Dorothy Laage, who is helping the fundraising effort, has written several major grant proposals seeking funds. There's also a call going out to the Monterey Bay community at large, asking for donations. Because the Boosters are registered as a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization, all donations are tax-deductible, and the Boosters will mail letters of acknowledgment to all donors. The Boosters are guiding students in their fundraising efforts by giving them sample letters to send to businesses asking for donations, accompanied by a letter of recommendation from Rep. Sam Farr. They're also suggesting that band members hold yard sales, bake sales, car washes and spaghetti feeds to get to their monetary goals. Other donations received by the Band Boosters will go to help those students who are unable to raise the entire amount, and whose families cannot contribute. Johnson, who has been at the high school for 27 years, is no stranger to challenges. In previous years, he's taken the band to Washington D.C., Hawaii and Italy, among other places. But taking students to China, he said, is far easier than some of the other trips. "I've thoroughly enjoyed taking bands into China," he said. "Other bands haven't had the same experience. But I know who to work with and how to work with them." Raising funds To donate to the North Monterey County High School Band's 2012 trip to China, send a check made out to NMCHS Band Boosters to: Lillian Mulvey, NMCHS Band Boosters Treasurer, 9669 Sandbur Place, Prunedale, CA 93907.