This update is a chance for you to all get a glimpse into what we do during our annual spring trip. Of course, to truly experience it, your student has to be there. Keep striving for the best in music and your student will experience an opportunity like this in middle or high school.
Wednesday
After a full day of school, we departed at 3:30 PM and enjoyed a scenic drive through the eastern Sierra, arriving in Anaheim around 1:00 AM.
Thursday
We slept in and woke up to a perfect day for a beach party. Kids roasted hot dogs, s'mores, and swam in the ocean. For some, this was their first ever time seeing the ocean!
The Band
The band, plus all chaperones and siblings
After the beach time, we went to Cerritos College to rehearse and have a clinic compliments of Dr. Betancourt, director of bands.
Dr. Betancourt working with the band
Our day concluded with a pizza dinner and swim time at the hotel.
Friday
We woke up bring and early, heading to Dale Jr. High for a performance with Mrs. Urquidez, my first band director who taught me how to play alto saxophone when I was 9. We played for her band, she played for my band, we played a few songs together, and then we sight read each other's music!
The combined band
Me and my first band director, Mrs. Urquidez!
After that, it was off to the park for even more fun! Students and parents spent the day together and rode rides, ate delicious food, drank lots of water, and used gallons of sunscreen! We then went backstage and performed our soundtrack clinic. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos. Students sight read through 3 songs and then listened to their masterpieces behind actual film clips!
Saturday
This day was perhaps the most amazing of them all. The day began warm when we checked out of the hotel, and it only got hotter as it went on. As I was having lunch, I opened up this good omen:
As I told the nervous students: if they did their best, they'd make me proud. Well, they did just that! The performance on stage was incredible, despite the high temperatures and windy conditions. I absolutely mean it when I say that THEY COULD NOT HAVE PERFORMED BETTER!
Check out the temperature immediately after our performance!
The performance is on our facebook page, so feel free to like our site and enjoy the concert for yourself! They handed us a plaque backstage and the guide told the band that they were one of the best behaved groups she has ever had. She also said that their performance made her day, and they are amazing musicians. We will be invited back next year! All we have to do is submit their phenomenal performance to Disney Performing Arts. They presented us with a plaque and we were free to enjoy the rest of the day at the park.
Even with warm temperatures and the parks at capacity, the students and parents still had a blast. We left at 11 PM for the overnight return trip and got home just this morning.
Thank you so much to all the parents for supporting this trip. From paying for your student, to chaperoning, to donating items, it wouldn't have been possible without you. We were able to give the students a top-notch experience that they will never forget.
Look for another update tomorrow with reminders about this week's concerts. We will end the year on a very positive "note."
-Mr. Jacques
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