Wilmington band to be on 'West Wing'

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The Wilmington Area High School band will get its first shot at Hollywood this week.
The band has been asked to be a part of the filming of "The West Wing" television show. Production crews have been moving into Volant to prepare to film a segment of the show's two-hour season premiere.
A portion of the filming will take place at Kemland Farms in Volant, owned by Jeff and Gary McConnell.
Jeff's wife, Roberta, has been communicating with the producers of the show since the McConnells found out it was their farm that was chosen as the filming site. McConnell said she told officials they needed a band. "You never go anywhere without the president being welcomed by a band," McConnell said.
Actor Martin Sheen portrays the part of the president of the United States on the television show. She said she received a call Friday asking her to contact a local high school band.
McConnell got in touch with Wilmington band director Gary Taylor. She said his first reaction was, "That's pretty cool."
She received approval from the school board at its meeting Monday. Taylor has been contacting band members to check on availability for Friday and Saturday's filming.
McConnell said a staff member from the show said they would not pay band members, but would give a donation to the band.