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FRIDAY HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL BAND

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Keep up with the band

posted 04/11/04
Friday Harbor High School Band is touring Florida and the Bahamas during Spring Break. They will be sending updates from the road. Band Director Janet Olsen said the band left on a high note. They received three "ones" from three different judges in a competition last week.

Day 1 - Thursday, April 8, 2004
Several friends and parents gave the Friday Harbor High School Band a proper send-off for their long-awaited Florida/Bahama trip. After a smooth bus ride to SEATAC Airport, we flew on schedule (8:00 p.m.) to Las Vegas for the first leg of our trip, arriving at 10:15 p.m. After a brief layover, we left Las Vegas at 12:45 a.m. for Miami, arriving at 8:30 a.m. Friday morning.

Day 2 has begun!
We transferred all our luggage and instruments to our tour bus and headed for the Miccosukee Indian Village. We learned a brief history of the Native American tribe, especially taking in their art work. They also provided some information and close-up encounters with alligators.

We then boarded airboats which took us across a small portion of the Everglades, teeming with wildlife, including exotic birds, plants and more alligators. We then headed for the Port of Miami and our cruise ship, The Majesty of the Seas.

After checking in, we met our Musical Festival adjudicator and received specific information for the next morning's concert. Dinner was served at 6 p.m. and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. After an exhausting 36 hours, we had an early curfew and fell into bed!

Day 3 - Saturday, April 10
Everyone was up early to meet in the ship's concert hall by 7:45 a.m. The performance went well and we'll learn later tonight of our rating. Following breakfast, we ferried to CocoCay for a day of snorkeling, kyaking, banana boat riding and lounging in the sun. We returned to our ship to freshen up and prepare for a formal dinner at 6 p.m.

Day #4 - Easter Sunday, April 11
Saturday evening following a teen dance, Friday Harbor High School Band received results of that morning's ratings. They were given several distinguished commendations for outstanding musicianship: Julie Tate - received an award for her flute solo; the entire percussion and clarinet sections were also recognized. The entire band received a Superior rating, scoring 95 out of 100 possible points.

The band's performance at Rawston Sqaure in downtown Nassau at Sunday noon was well received. They were presented a certificate of appreciation by Ingrid Bartlett, General Manager of the Ministry of Tourism. Bartlett also invited the band to come back again and do a joint concert with a Nassau high school band. What a great idea!

Day 4, 5, 6 - Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday, April 11-12-13
posted 04/15/04

If I ever had any doubts about taking my students on this trip, I no longer have them. What a fantastic day this has been! But first, I'll back up to Monday and our departure from the ship. Luggage had to be out in the hall to be picked up by 11 pm the night before. The next morning we were out of our rooms by 8 am and departed the ship at 10:30. We rode the bus to the Kennedy Space Center , arriving at 3:30 pm. We took in as much as possible before dpearting at 6:30 pm. The highlight for most of us was meeting and talking with astronaut, Rick Seafoss.

After dinner we arrived at the Buena Vista Suites exhausted, but looking forward to the next day. Tuesday morning we left the hotel at 9:45 am for the Epcot Center. After taking in numerous exhibits, we headed for our clinic with professional, Chad Shoopman. We really looked sharp in our navy polo shirts, thanks to the help of Vern Howard. This workshop turned out to be a most valuable three hours and a great learning experience for our students. We culminated the clinic by making a video of the band playing a segment of the sound track to "Aladdin" finishing at 9 pm, just in time for the light show.

Wednesday morning we were off to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme part until 2:30 pm. At that time it was back to the hotel to change clothes for our formal concert at 4:30 pm. We will get back to you about how this event went. We are all holding up well -- kids, chaperones, bus driver and tour director, Steve Vitsuvas. Judy Kennedy really has done a super job getting everything in place for a smooth tour. Each day seems to top the one before.

Day 9 - Friday, April 16 I'll try to catch you up on the last few days, where we left off. On Wednesday, April 14, the band performed at 5 p.m. at the Dockstage, Downtown Disney. The sun was bright and the wind very strong. We had only a short time to warm up and then performed for 25 minutes. With the wind and sun, it was a real learning experience just to keep together under such conditions.

On Thursday we performed on stage for "Lights, Camera, Music" at Universal Studios Orlando. The wind had calmed down and the day was gorgeous. We did our last and finest performance for this concert. The rest of the day we spent in the Islands of Adventure Park.

Today is the last experience at Disney Parks, as we return home tomorrow. We saw a most magnificant light show this evening - - a fitting way to end our trip. It's been a wonderful trip and musical experience.

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