Memorable day in New York City

In a typical blog post, I'll use more pictures than words, letting the images tell the story of an event.  For this post, I'll use more words than pictures to try and lend a description that provides clarity to the events of the day.

Before I describe the day, I need to describe the students musicians with whom we have the privilege of traveling.  We are moving with a group of 350 students and 7 coaches and have left every departure point in a timely manner.  Tour guides, bus drivers and restaurant staff continue to tell us how impressed they are with the behavior of the students.  Our guide at Radio City Music Hall told us we were her favorite group of the day, maybe of the month.  The students are respectful and engaged while still having a great time.  We are so proud and fortunate to travel with these students.

Now, a bit about the experiences today.

Today was about an experiential spectrum with significant width.  We started our morning at the 9-11 Museum.  The depth of the human condition as exposed in this horrific tragedy was significant.  We ended our evening hearing the New York Philharmonic performing Brahm's Second Symphony, which ends in a D major triad played by the trombones that exposes the depth of jubilation in the human condition.  We were at the Top of The Rock, we were at the level of the street  We experienced some chilly temperatures outside, we experienced some warm tours and meals.  The depth and breadth of the spectrum of experiences today, even for this seasoned traveler, was significant.

Tomorrow, we will tour by bus and boat and experience a Broadway show followed by a group dinner on Times Square.  The trajectory of the tour continues to point us towards Monday evening, where we will practice and perform in Carnegie Hall, but for now, we are expanding our boundaries by experiencing some of the most amazing things this remarkable city has to offer.

Great day at Ithaca College @dgsbandsnyc15 #NYNouveau

District 99 students experienced an amazing day of hospitality and musical growth at Ithaca College today.  After arriving to a delicious Panera breakfast and a freshen up stop at the world class IC Athletic Complex, students transitioned to the music building and experienced a 70 minute clinic with Ithaca College faculty including  Dr. Steve Peterson, Dr. Elizabeth Peterson and Dr. Mark Fonder;  students took a 45 minute campus tour of Ithaca College, gaining experience and insight into the college experience;  students observed a convocation recital featuring a student saxophone quartet, the IC Faculty Brass Quintet, and the IC Trombone Choir.  Finally, students enjoyed lunch in the IC cafeteria, enjoying some of the finest collegiate cuisine available.

Special thanks and shout-out to our hosts and organizers Steve and Beth Peterson, the IC tour guides, the IC music ed students, and the rest of the campus for extending the warmest hospitality imaginable.  Even on a cold day we all felt warm and welcome!

Now that we are back on the road, we will have a stop at a mall food court for dinner and then proceed to our  hotel in New Jersey, where we will all get a great night of rest to prepare for the coming three days in the city that never sleeps.

Making good progress

First rest stop @dgsbandsnyc2015

First rest stop done.  On the road again.

In Good Company! #NYNouveau

Vienna Philharmonic. District 99.

That's what we're talking about!

Luggage Tags REMINDER

At the tour meeting in January, each tour participant was given three pink luggage tags.  One tag is for your instrument case, one tag is for your carry-on bag, one tag is for your suit case.  In addition to the DGS address information on the tag, please write your own personal information on the tag to make bag identification during the tour a simple process.

Please bring ONE TAG with you to school on Thursday so that you can TAG YOUR INSTRUMENT after rehearsal.  We will stage the instruments in an orderly fashion after rehearsals t tomorrow in the band room.

Parents Traveling to NYC - Pre-Concert Dinner Option!

Are you a parent or family member traveling to NYC to attend the March 2nd concert at Carnegie Hall?  A very unique opportunity has come up that we hope you will consider being a part of while you are in NYC next weekend for the “New York Nouveau” concert. 

Mr. Roselieb, Mr. Teague and Mr. Williams all hold degrees from Northwestern University, as do soloists Kristin Bowers, Peter Wilson, and Paul Von Hoff.  Composer/Guest Conductor Don Owens is a retired professor from NU.  To celebrate the many Northwestern connections on the concert, the Northwestern University Club of NYC is sponsoring a special pre-concert gathering/light dinner. The Northwestern Alumni Association has opened up the event to any adult affiliated with DGN or DGS who would like to join them for dinner and conversation prior to the big concert.

Please consider joining alumni and friends of Northwestern University on March 2^nd at 5:30 PM at Whiskey Trader, 71 West 55^th Street (between 5^th & 6^th Ave).  Enjoy a light Asian-style dinner and non-alcoholic beverages, and fellowship with Northwestern University alumni and friends and family of the performers.   Northwestern University Professor Emeritus Don Owens will speak briefly to share an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how the show, New York Nouveau, came together. He will also be joined by Peter Wilson (violin soloist) who will share a unique perspective on the concert finale, “Rhapsody in Blue.” 

This event is within walking distance of Carnegie Hall. 

If you are interested in attending, please EMAIL Brayer Teague (b t e a g u e @ c s d 9 9 . o r g) no later than 10 AM tomorrow, Thursday, February 26th, to make a reservation.  Please note that space is limited, and reservations are first-come, first served.  

The cost for entry will be $20 per person (cash) and will be collected at the event. 

We hope you will consider attending.

Packing List Reminder........

As a courtesy reminder, the packing list document is pasted in the field below.  Students and parents:  Make certain your instrument is in GREAT WORKING ORDER tonight - take the time to clean, polish, oil, etc.  Performing in the best hall in the world demands that your instrument be in the best every working condition ever!

Packing List

Students and chaperones are restricted to ONE suitcase or duffle bag (50 lbs. & 62” limit) and ONE carry-on bag (45” limit), plus instrument (see specifics below).  This packing list is only a guide for what you will need; each individual participant should carefully consider exactly what he or she will need for the entire duration of the trip.

_____  Instrument (with mutes, reeds, sticks, mallets, etc.)

Small instruments (flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets) must be carried on and stored in the over-head compartments on the bus.  Flutes, clarinets and oboes should place their instrument inside their carry-on bag if at all possible.  Bassoons and bass clarinets should carry on their instrument, and may have one other small carry-on (back-pack size).  Large instruments will be stored under the bus, and should be packed very carefully.  We will give you additional guidance on packing strategies as we get closer to departure day. 

_____  Music Binders should be packed in personal suitcase.

_____  CONCERT ATTIRE to be worn for formal performances.  All students will need to pack their formal ‘concert black’ into a school-issued BLUE GARMENT BAG, and this bag will be packed into the suitcase for the trip to NYC.

_____  Black Dress Shoes / socks for formal concert attire

_____   Comfortable walking shoes.  We strongly advise something with support.

DAILY NECESSITIES

·         “Nice” Casual Clothes                                                              

·         Pajamas

·         Laundry Bag                                                                              

·         Glasses/Contact Supplies (including cases)

·         Prescription Medicine (please indicate to your chaperone)

·         Spending Money (reasonable amount for lunches and/or snacks, souvenirs, etc.)

·         Camera, personal technology, hand held games, etc. (only with headphones). 

·         Toiletries (deodorant, combs, brushes, shaving accessories, toothbrush/paste, shampoo, etc.)

·         Wrist watch

·         Travel rain poncho / small umbrella

CLOTHES

Participants are reminded that our appearance, both in and out of performance situations, reflects on our entire community.  Participants should dress in presentable clothes at all times.  In accordance with District policy, clothing containing advertising of alcohol, tobacco, or that which displays inappropriate innuendo is not acceptable. 

It is suggested that valuables, especially expensive jewelry, be left at home to avoid loss or theft!

No-Packing List

  NO    Video Game systems (i.e. Wii, X-Box, PlayStation, etc.).  You may bring a small hand-held game devices for your use on the long bus trips, but when we are in the hotel, sight-seeing together on a bus, or participating in a group tour activity, we ask that you look up from your screens and enjoy the company of one another.  J  Do not bring video game systems with the intent to hook them up to a hotel room TV.  Free time in the hotel may be spent visiting quietly with friends, playing cards, etc. Game systems, if seen, will be confiscated by chaperones.

  NO    Expensive jewelry / personal artifacts.

  NO    Non-essential musical instruments.

  NO    Swimming suits.  The pool at this hotel is outside, and will not be open.

  NO    More “stuff” than you can carry in one trip (students playing larger instruments will be given special consideration in terms of this expectation).

  NO    Suitcase larger than 62” (length + width + height) or weighing more than 50 pounds.

  NO    Excessive spending money/cash.

  ???    Laptop computers / iPads, etc.  You may bring these devices as long as they fit comfortably in your carry-on bag, and as long as you are not glued to them at times when you should be enjoying the company of those around you. The larger the electronic device, the greater the opportunity for damage on a tour of this nature. D99 assumes no responsibility for technology damage to school issued or personal technology. 

The primary goal of our tour is music education through outstanding performance opportunities and educational clinics.  A secondary goal of our tour is to build personal teamwork skills and ensemble cohesiveness. 

To this end, we ask students to maximize opportunities that are not available to them on a typical day at school or at home.

A note about Cell Phones, Staying Connected & Independence

Students are allowed to bring cell/mobile phones.  Families are encouraged to allow their students to learn & experience the independence that can be developed on a tour of this nature.  We ask parents to refrain from initiating texts and/or phone calls with their tour participants during the duration of the trip unless an emergency arises.  

Front Page News!

Our tour is Front Page news this morning!

Check out the online version of the article here.

Connectivity reminders.........................

Stay connected to the tour in a myriad of ways:

• Register your e-mail on the blog to automatically receive blog posts. (best way to follow during the trip)
• Download the Google calendar for the trip onto your Smart phone (bonus points)  This is the best place to receive ongoing tour updates.  
• Send the following text message to 40404:  follow @dgsbandsnyc15 (space after the word "follow")
• FOR STUDENTS ONLY:  Send this message to 23559:  @DGSBandsTourUpdates (Celly)
• Access the recently updated paper copy of the itinerary from the blog (old school.)

Use every connectivity mode possible to stay current on tour happenings.  As always, the main source of photos and information about the trip will be through blog posts.

Final residency rehearsal with Gaudete Brass Quintet and Don Owens

Members of the Gaudete Brass Quintet and composer Don Owens are visiting South High School today for an extended rehearsal with the South High School Wind Ensemble making final preparations for the world premiere of Concerto for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble - Movement I - Rejoice.  Commissioned for the  GBQ and the DGS Wind Ensemble to be performed in Carnegie Hall, this piece is a complex work that showcases the virtuosity of both ensembles.  Thanks to the Mustang Band Boosters for supporting this project, giving our student musicians an opportunity to present a world premiere on the stage at Carnegie Hall.