HIGH SCHOOL BAND TRIP
.JPG)
After months of planning and fundraising, the high school band departed Thursday, March 10, after the Parade of Bands concert for their quadrennial band trip. This time it was to tour Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. 70 students, 15 chaperones, and Miss Sommer kicked off the fun Friday morning in Memphis. They toured the Graceland Mansion, along with Elvis’s stables, racquetball court and gravesite. The Jazz Band played a 40-minute set at Graceland including music by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis for the visitors to the mansion. They had a large cheering section from the rest of the band and other people touring! Next, they explored Beale Street and had lunch at King’s Palace before touring the Gibson Guitar Factory and Sun Studios. The students sat in with local street musicians to create their own musical experience. It was a very long but fun day!
Saturday morning started with a tour of the Parthenon at Centennial Park. It was a beautiful morning to see the park. They then worked with clinician Dr. Steve Rhodes from Lipscomb University at Vanderbilt University on their concert selections for large group in May. After touring Andrew Jackson's estate, The Hermitage, they traveled to the Grand Ole Opry for a backstage tour. Students got to stand in the six-foot circle on center stage where so many famous performers have been for a photo op. They returned after dinner for the concert, where they saw a number of performers, including Lee Greenwood, Ricky Skaggs, Tracy Lawrence, Bill Anderson and Dierks Bentley to name a few. Dick Vitale even showed up at the Opry as he was commentating the SEC basketball tournament over the weekend. Annie Wallin was invited to go on stage and participate in a dance off during the live show.
Sunday held even more excitement and activities for the students. The day started with a tour and recording session at the historic RCA Studio B where artists like Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton have recorded hits. The band broke into two groups and recorded the Star Spangled Banner, The Cardinal and a selection from their concert, Night on Fire. The band worked with the staff producer/engineer to create fantastic recordings for the district to use at athletic events when they are not present. The group then traveled over to The Bluebird Café and enjoyed an interactive session with professional songwriters, Victoria Banks, Phil Barton and J.T. Harding. JD Hitt sat in on drums with writer J.T Harding on Smile, a record breaking hit for Uncle Kracker.
Sunday afternoon the group toured the historic Ryman Auditorium and spent time in downtown Nashville. Many students took this time to purchase new cowboy boots, hats and western memorabilia. Some even found the local candy store serving up chocolate covered crickets, yummm! The students concluded the trip with an exciting event at the Wildhorse Saloon where they enjoyed BBQ and line dancing. Almost every student (and many chaperones) learned four to six new dances and kept the instructor on his toes.
This trip was truly remarkable and the students represented Clarinda High School, the City of Clarinda and the State of Iowa in a positive way. Students had musical, historical and social experiences and will have these memories for their lifetime. Thank you to the families, school and community for your support.