Taylar Rodgers
For The New Era
It’s not every day that a group of 45 students get to miss school, tour around a big city, and perform in front of a large audience.
But in late April the Sweet Home High School Symphonic Choir, along with Jefferson High School bands, had just this experience in the grand city of Seattle, Wash.
The adventure began on Wednesday, April 22, right after school, when eager choir members boarded a bus and drove to Jefferson High School to join the Jefferson band for a send-off concert.
The basis of the dual-group trip was the relationship of the directors of both groups. Heather Clark, director of Jefferson High School bands, is the wife of the Sweet Home High School Choir Director Matthew Clark.
That first night ended in excitement as tired choir and band members went to sleep, looking forward for the coming day. The next day started early with breakfast and then a five-hour bus ride to the first destination: The Rainforest Café in Tacoma, Wash. After this fun, filling lunch, the group moved on to Seattle.
The rest of the day was full of awesome sightseeing including the Space Needle and the Underground Tour. That night, the groups checked into their hotel (which was conveniently located across the street from a mall). Sleep that night came easily to everyone, and they looked forward, again, for the next day.
On Friday morning the choir and band took a ride to Pike’s Market Place, followed by the Seattle Aquarium, where they had a blast.
This was followed by a trip to the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum.
The whole day was described by one participant as “the most fun I’ve had in one day” and indeed it was. That night, individuals went shopping at the mall, went swimming in the hotel pool, and just relaxed in their rooms as they waited for the big performance the next day.
Saturday morning brought the competition portion of the trip. The Symphonic Choir performed first, singing a set of four songs.
Following this, the Jefferson bands performed at their designated venue. After all groups were finished, they rode into the Seattle bay area, and rode a ferry to Tillicum Village where they were presented with a delicious salmon dinner and a show performed by Tillicum Village members.
Following the show was the award ceremony. Out of some 18 schools involved in the festival (including bands, choirs and orchestras), Sweet Home Symphonic Choir took third place in its division, while Jefferson High School jazz band was first in its division.
The day ended with excited students, trophies held high, heading back to the hotel for one last night at the hotel.
The following morning, students boarded the bus for the ride home. Most of the trip home was utilized for sleeping and relaxing.
Although the trip only lasted for a couple of days, the experiences and memories built with this trip to Seattle will stay with each individual for the rest of their lives. And the music that the choir has worked so hard to learn will continue to impact those who perform as well as those who listen.
The Symphonic Choir, as well as the other High School choirs, are currently preparing to share their hard work at a concert at 7 p.m. Thursday May 21, in the high school auditorium. This will be the last performance of all choirs for the 2008-09 school year.
Taylar Rodgers, a member of the Symphonic Choir, was a participant in the Seattle trip.