By all accounts, the Pope High School Orchestra trip to New York City was both exciting and enriching. All of the students who endured the long days and busy agenda during this extended weekend trip will share in at least one common reward – memories that will last a lifetime.
Mr. Gray shares some thoughts on the trip:
"Seeing Stomp perform was the highlight for many students. This wide array of percussion ensembles gave the students a chance to see how musical and rhythmic simple objects could become.
"The Broadway show, In the Heights, won "Musical of the Year" and gave everyone a chance to see and hear the wonderful dancing, performing, and singing.
"Touring Carnegie Hall inspired many students to work hard as we heard stories of the great architecture, hardships of the theater surviving all these years, the elegance of the construction, and the many great performers to have graced the stage. The overall experience left us all in awe.
"Our clinic with Sandra Dackow provided us with a rigorous and highly focused rehearsal time in a professional rehearsal studio. One room down from us was the New York performer’s union members rehearsing "West Side Story" in preparation to perform on Broadway. The experience was as professional as one could experience.
"Seeing the sites of New York gave students a chance to immerse themselves in one of the most diverse cities in North America. Visits included China Town, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Wall Street, Rockefeller Plaza, and more."
Our thanks go out to the parents, chaperons, volunteers, students, administrators and, of course, Mr Gray, for making this trip such a success.
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