Apparently they enjoyed us on our final flight home. We are so proud of our CJS family!! This message was sent from the Delta Flight 1694 staff to CCM about us!
Airline passengers are often times willing to contact airline managementto let them know about service issues. I suppose it’s not often when anairline (or in this case, airline staff) might contact passengers to thankthem for their extraordinary behavior.
I was a member of the Delta Air Lines inflight crew who had the distincthonor of bringing your Cincinnati Junior Strings group home to CVG on thelast segment of their journey from Australia this past Wednesday, August6th. My entire crew was very impressed with the decorum of your studentmusicians and their excellent manners. We don’t often see such outstandingyoung folks like this; especially in such a large group. It was truly anhonor for us and a testament to the quality that your organization, theteachers and volunteers model for these students.
On behalf of my crew, I want to thank you and your organization for makingour day so enjoyable. Thank you also for the CDs that were left with us toenjoy and to remember you by. And thank you for helping these extraordinaryyoung adults make our world “sound” so wonderful. We certainly look forwardto welcoming you again soon!
With best wishes for your continued success,
MARCEL VIENS
Flight Leader – Delta 1694 LAX-CVG
Marcel.J.Viens@Delta.com
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
One Week Later...more photos to check out!
Cannot believe it has been a week since we were in Sydney...Who needs more Tim Tams and some Lift??
Anyway, here are links to some photos from the trip.
Rachel and Matt Bierkan's Photos - includes MANY from the concerts and schools we visited
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=18ktu6g7.8km0nj6j&x=0&h=1&y=b8obiv&localeid=en_US
Mr. Karrer's Photos
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=yebwof8.barrplm0&x=0&h=1&y=-dr0e8m&localeid=en_US
Mrs. Asgian's Photos (plus some from the camp concert in the US!)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=10so71xo.5p750eo8&x=0&y=wzzufk&localeid=en_US
Anyway, here are links to some photos from the trip.
Rachel and Matt Bierkan's Photos - includes MANY from the concerts and schools we visited
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=18ktu6g7.8km0nj6j&x=0&h=1&y=b8obiv&localeid=en_US
Mr. Karrer's Photos
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=yebwof8.barrplm0&x=0&h=1&y=-dr0e8m&localeid=en_US
Mrs. Asgian's Photos (plus some from the camp concert in the US!)
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=10so71xo.5p750eo8&x=0&y=wzzufk&localeid=en_US
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Group Photos!
These are the photos of the whole group from Joy Campbell's camera. We will try to get them emailed to you as well!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
CJS Websites to check out...
For the article from the Newcastle newspaper featuring CJS: (Thank you Aunt Cindy)
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/american-string-ensembles-touring-bowl/1228937.aspx
For the recordings of the Rainbow Boyz:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rainbowboyz4
For Pictures visit:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=18ktu6g7.abf76knf&x=0&h=1&y=jd79qz&localeid=en_US
http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/american-string-ensembles-touring-bowl/1228937.aspx
For the recordings of the Rainbow Boyz:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rainbowboyz4
For Pictures visit:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=18ktu6g7.abf76knf&x=0&h=1&y=jd79qz&localeid=en_US
Thursday, August 7, 2008
We're Back!
After a long day/day and a half/two days of travel, we have returned home safely.
Thank you all for a fabulous trip.
Thanks to Quentin and Sally for their Australian tour guiding.
What an amazing time we had!
Monday, August 4, 2008
For Devin and Stephen
Mom and Deidra say hi and Happy Birthday (Rachel says that she is sorry she didn't send it on Friday).
Stephen...Australia misses you. Say hi to Guido and Michael.
Stephen...Australia misses you. Say hi to Guido and Michael.
Our Favorite Aussie Animals
By an overwhelming vote, the koalas have won...though Mrs. Bierkan has been lobbying for the wombat. We did enjoy the kangaroos and the wallabies (Phillip Goist's favorite) and even the wallaroos - a totally different species of kangaroo-type creature, not a cross between the wallaby and the kangaroo. Mrs. Doan loved the kookaburra - and she even got to pet one. Ted Liu's favorite was the bird that dumped a surprise on his head.
It was hard to say what the highlight of the day was. We did see and pet more than 2 dozen koalas (and don't forget the 10 wombats!!!) but we also had an awesome final concert of the tour. We started the day with a school tour concert at PLC Croyden for 250 (?) girls from grade 1 to grade 7. Then it was off to Featherdale to see the Aussie animals and lots of Aussie birds. The kangaroos and wallabies were jumping around a bit and ate out of our hands, but mostly they were pretty lazy lying in the sun. The Tasmanian Devil was also a bit on the sleepy side and of course the koalas took turns sleeping in their trees (after all they sleep 16-18 hours every day...some of us will want to sleep like a koala when we get back to Cincy!) but the wombats were very active pacing in their pens and you can't forget those flying foxes (and the way they smelled.)
Then it was a quick stop at the Olympic Park to see how the Aussies have turned the Olympic Village into a workable and interesting city site.
We arrived back at PLC for a rehearsal with their senior chamber orchestra girls. We played Queen of Sheba and then Rondeau with them. We did a good job mingling CJSers with PLC girls during the sausage sizzle and then it was concert time. And as mentioned before, it was an excellent final concerts featuring all the gang buster tunes.
Our last day in Sydney features the aquarium, the golden bucket (the Aussie version of the Seattle Skyneedle) and the final bit of shopping. Some groups are checking out the Harbour Bridge and others are sampling local Krispy Kremes. A good time will be had by all.
We have had so much fun...but be prepared for some tired folks at the airport on Wednesday!
It was hard to say what the highlight of the day was. We did see and pet more than 2 dozen koalas (and don't forget the 10 wombats!!!) but we also had an awesome final concert of the tour. We started the day with a school tour concert at PLC Croyden for 250 (?) girls from grade 1 to grade 7. Then it was off to Featherdale to see the Aussie animals and lots of Aussie birds. The kangaroos and wallabies were jumping around a bit and ate out of our hands, but mostly they were pretty lazy lying in the sun. The Tasmanian Devil was also a bit on the sleepy side and of course the koalas took turns sleeping in their trees (after all they sleep 16-18 hours every day...some of us will want to sleep like a koala when we get back to Cincy!) but the wombats were very active pacing in their pens and you can't forget those flying foxes (and the way they smelled.)
Then it was a quick stop at the Olympic Park to see how the Aussies have turned the Olympic Village into a workable and interesting city site.
We arrived back at PLC for a rehearsal with their senior chamber orchestra girls. We played Queen of Sheba and then Rondeau with them. We did a good job mingling CJSers with PLC girls during the sausage sizzle and then it was concert time. And as mentioned before, it was an excellent final concerts featuring all the gang buster tunes.
Our last day in Sydney features the aquarium, the golden bucket (the Aussie version of the Seattle Skyneedle) and the final bit of shopping. Some groups are checking out the Harbour Bridge and others are sampling local Krispy Kremes. A good time will be had by all.
We have had so much fun...but be prepared for some tired folks at the airport on Wednesday!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
On the Rocks
We left Canberra bright and early this morning heading to Mt. Ainsley for a nice view of the city. Then it was off to Sydney.
The weather in Sydney could not have been better. It was a beautiful day to walk through the section of the city called the Rocks (where the first settlement in Sydney was) and visit the weekend markets and do a bit of shopping before the Harbour Cruise.
We took a cruise around the Sydney Harbour to see the sights (but let's be honest we only really cared about the Bridge and the Opera House) and hear a bit about the history of the city and the current events taking place there. There were lots of fabulous pictures taken as the skies were bright blue and nearly everyone was in a good mood.
Our dinner at Phillips Foote was a memorable one and a good time was had by all. We truly did get to choose our own cut of meat (beef, chicken or fish) and Matt and Joel barbecued it for most of us (mainly the kids...can't have them eating raw chicken!). There were many great side dishes and everyone left happy and full. This one gets the best dinner award.
Tomorrow we visit our final school - PLC Croyden - and the Featherdale Animal park. Can't wait to see the Wombats (and kangaroos).
The weather in Sydney could not have been better. It was a beautiful day to walk through the section of the city called the Rocks (where the first settlement in Sydney was) and visit the weekend markets and do a bit of shopping before the Harbour Cruise.
We took a cruise around the Sydney Harbour to see the sights (but let's be honest we only really cared about the Bridge and the Opera House) and hear a bit about the history of the city and the current events taking place there. There were lots of fabulous pictures taken as the skies were bright blue and nearly everyone was in a good mood.
Our dinner at Phillips Foote was a memorable one and a good time was had by all. We truly did get to choose our own cut of meat (beef, chicken or fish) and Matt and Joel barbecued it for most of us (mainly the kids...can't have them eating raw chicken!). There were many great side dishes and everyone left happy and full. This one gets the best dinner award.
Tomorrow we visit our final school - PLC Croyden - and the Featherdale Animal park. Can't wait to see the Wombats (and kangaroos).
A Day in Canberra
Government Buildings - here we come!
Yesterday we had a very full, very busy day travelling from one government building in Canberra to another. But we learned a lot and it was totally worth it.
We started at Parliament where we saw the House of Representatives (a lovely gray/green room whose color represents the green of the Australian Gum Trees) and the Senate (a rosy pink room whose color represents the blossoms of the Gum Trees). We also saw an original copy of the Magna Carta which is on display there and an excellent gift shop - one of the best we've seen. Then we got to walk on the roof of Parliament which is actually the ground floor of the buliding - this allows the common people to be above the legislators reminding them who is really in charge of the country.
Then we were off to the Australia Museum where we learned about the Aborigine people, the colonization of Australia and then the process of becoming a Federation. After grabbing lunch there, we had a quick stop at the National Art Gallery where we saw some fabulous statues, some interesting Aboriginal art, and various Impressionist to Modern paintings as well as Indian and Asian pieces. The photographs of Southeast Asia were particularly interesting to some while others found the Ned Kelly display to be most enjoyable.
We ended our tour of Canberra with the War Memorial where we learned about the Japanese attack on Sydney during WWII, the Australian involvement in Gallipoli, and the Aussie work as Peacekeepers in the 20th century. We saw tanks, planes, boats, submarines, neumatic warheads, helmets (some kids even got to try them on), radio transmitters, barrack simulators and lots of diaramas depicting the battles fought. The trip to the Memorial ended with the closing ceremony held in the Hall of Honour (where all those who have died in combat were listed) featuring the bugle call to home.
Then it was off to the Yacht Club (via Embassy Row) for dinner. The highlight there was the chocolate cake dessert, but don't ask about it.
The kids were able to swim off a little energy when we returned to the hotel before suitcase packing and lights out.
Yesterday we had a very full, very busy day travelling from one government building in Canberra to another. But we learned a lot and it was totally worth it.
We started at Parliament where we saw the House of Representatives (a lovely gray/green room whose color represents the green of the Australian Gum Trees) and the Senate (a rosy pink room whose color represents the blossoms of the Gum Trees). We also saw an original copy of the Magna Carta which is on display there and an excellent gift shop - one of the best we've seen. Then we got to walk on the roof of Parliament which is actually the ground floor of the buliding - this allows the common people to be above the legislators reminding them who is really in charge of the country.
Then we were off to the Australia Museum where we learned about the Aborigine people, the colonization of Australia and then the process of becoming a Federation. After grabbing lunch there, we had a quick stop at the National Art Gallery where we saw some fabulous statues, some interesting Aboriginal art, and various Impressionist to Modern paintings as well as Indian and Asian pieces. The photographs of Southeast Asia were particularly interesting to some while others found the Ned Kelly display to be most enjoyable.
We ended our tour of Canberra with the War Memorial where we learned about the Japanese attack on Sydney during WWII, the Australian involvement in Gallipoli, and the Aussie work as Peacekeepers in the 20th century. We saw tanks, planes, boats, submarines, neumatic warheads, helmets (some kids even got to try them on), radio transmitters, barrack simulators and lots of diaramas depicting the battles fought. The trip to the Memorial ended with the closing ceremony held in the Hall of Honour (where all those who have died in combat were listed) featuring the bugle call to home.
Then it was off to the Yacht Club (via Embassy Row) for dinner. The highlight there was the chocolate cake dessert, but don't ask about it.
The kids were able to swim off a little energy when we returned to the hotel before suitcase packing and lights out.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Raindrops keep falling...
Rain seems to follow CJS wherever it goes on this trip.
As we drove out of Sydney this morning it started raining and the temperature started falling. It is now 40 degrees and the rain continues to fall here in Canberra. They say it will be sunny tomorrow...but we'll see.
The optimist says that we have had a lot of rain but also a LOT of Rainbows!
As we drove out of Sydney this morning it started raining and the temperature started falling. It is now 40 degrees and the rain continues to fall here in Canberra. They say it will be sunny tomorrow...but we'll see.
The optimist says that we have had a lot of rain but also a LOT of Rainbows!
The Opera House and the Kangaroos!
Our day began with a very informative tour of one of the most recognized buildings in the world - the Sydney Opera House. We got to take lots of pictures to impress you with when we get home and we learned a lot about its construction and turbulent history. We would like to play there...or just see a show of some sort. Maybe next time.
We have just arrived in Canberra. On the drive we saw at least 7 kangaroo mobs in the fields we passed. Unfortunately the kids were not as observant as most of the adults and they missed them...but maybe we'll ALL see them as we drive back to Sydney on Sunday!
We look forward to a day of learning all about Australia tomorrow. We will visit Parliament - the seat of the Aussie government - then off to the Australia Museum where we will learn about Australia's history. Then the Art Gallery and finally the showstopper - the War Memorial - where we will see a closing ceremony (like at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in D.C.)
We very much enjoyed our stay at Queenwood. Our billet families were so welcoming and generous. Thank you to Melinda Bryant for organizing everything for us and thank you to all those lovely Queenwood girls and their families!
We had a very successful day of concerts and rehearsal yesterday. During the day we rehearsed with the Senior String girls and the Junior School Orchestra. We played a fun arrangement of the Aussie favorite - Click Go the Shears at the evening concert. CJS's performance at last night's concert was really spectacular. We did the hardest tunes in the folder and then ended with Intermezzo spread all around the auditorium. It was fabulous. Ask Debbie for the video of that one!
So we look forward to a day of learning tomorrow and we look forward to getting our chaperone groups back together after 8 nights of billets in a row! See you soon!
We have just arrived in Canberra. On the drive we saw at least 7 kangaroo mobs in the fields we passed. Unfortunately the kids were not as observant as most of the adults and they missed them...but maybe we'll ALL see them as we drive back to Sydney on Sunday!
We look forward to a day of learning all about Australia tomorrow. We will visit Parliament - the seat of the Aussie government - then off to the Australia Museum where we will learn about Australia's history. Then the Art Gallery and finally the showstopper - the War Memorial - where we will see a closing ceremony (like at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in D.C.)
We very much enjoyed our stay at Queenwood. Our billet families were so welcoming and generous. Thank you to Melinda Bryant for organizing everything for us and thank you to all those lovely Queenwood girls and their families!
We had a very successful day of concerts and rehearsal yesterday. During the day we rehearsed with the Senior String girls and the Junior School Orchestra. We played a fun arrangement of the Aussie favorite - Click Go the Shears at the evening concert. CJS's performance at last night's concert was really spectacular. We did the hardest tunes in the folder and then ended with Intermezzo spread all around the auditorium. It was fabulous. Ask Debbie for the video of that one!
So we look forward to a day of learning tomorrow and we look forward to getting our chaperone groups back together after 8 nights of billets in a row! See you soon!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Chillin' in Sydney
We are all doing well here in Sydney. The children are definitely enjoying their visit with families from the Queenwood school. It is a rough life when you can look out your windows and see the Sydney Harbour, or the Opera House.
Yesterday we had a great day playing with the Ladies of Our Lady of Mercy College. Thank you to Paul and Michaeli Witney for organizing our day there. We were able to attend classes, rehearse together and then play a concert for the rest of the school. It was a lovely day.
Today we will perform a couple concerts at Queenwood school, have a rehearsal with them, and then tonight we will play a formal concert in their lovely auditorium. It should be great.
We have certainly enjoyed Sydney...we have visited the beach (Manly Beach), ridden ferries across the harbor, visited the zoo among other things.
Tomorrow we are off to Canberra by way of the Opera House. Wahoo!
Yesterday we had a great day playing with the Ladies of Our Lady of Mercy College. Thank you to Paul and Michaeli Witney for organizing our day there. We were able to attend classes, rehearse together and then play a concert for the rest of the school. It was a lovely day.
Today we will perform a couple concerts at Queenwood school, have a rehearsal with them, and then tonight we will play a formal concert in their lovely auditorium. It should be great.
We have certainly enjoyed Sydney...we have visited the beach (Manly Beach), ridden ferries across the harbor, visited the zoo among other things.
Tomorrow we are off to Canberra by way of the Opera House. Wahoo!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Concerts, concerts, concerts
Today we played 3 concerts.
We started by performing for the Newcastle Grammar School year 3 and 4 students, plus the preschoolers. Then we collaborated for a bit with those young players and worked up a couple of tunes to play for another concert at 11:45. Parents came to listen to that concert. A Newcastle newspaper reporter and photographer also came to listen. (we're hoping to make the front page. :) ) Then we had a bit of lunch with the Upper School students and we had a rehearsal in the Cathedral - where our evening concert was performed.
The Cathedral was AWESOME. It was beautiful. Everything sounded amazing. What a fabulous concert venue.
CJSers went home for dinner with their billets and came back to the Christ Church Cathedral for the evening concert. The concert began with the Newcastle Grammer Middle School orchestra - CJS actually sat in a played with them on one piece (we sightread it...it was a version of Mozart's 25th Symphony's 1st movement), then we listened to Newcastle's Upper School and the Hunter School for Performing Arts Orchestra. We performed 6 pieces - about a half an hour - and then we finished with the combined finale of Brittan's Sentimental Sarabande and Frolicsome Finale...and wow...it sounded amazing in that hall.
We have certainly felt welcomed here in Newcastle. Some CJSers have visited the beach, some have raced cars (on a miniature track), some played Wii...we're living the Australian life now.
But...the rain continues...maybe tomorrow the sun will start to shine.
We started by performing for the Newcastle Grammar School year 3 and 4 students, plus the preschoolers. Then we collaborated for a bit with those young players and worked up a couple of tunes to play for another concert at 11:45. Parents came to listen to that concert. A Newcastle newspaper reporter and photographer also came to listen. (we're hoping to make the front page. :) ) Then we had a bit of lunch with the Upper School students and we had a rehearsal in the Cathedral - where our evening concert was performed.
The Cathedral was AWESOME. It was beautiful. Everything sounded amazing. What a fabulous concert venue.
CJSers went home for dinner with their billets and came back to the Christ Church Cathedral for the evening concert. The concert began with the Newcastle Grammer Middle School orchestra - CJS actually sat in a played with them on one piece (we sightread it...it was a version of Mozart's 25th Symphony's 1st movement), then we listened to Newcastle's Upper School and the Hunter School for Performing Arts Orchestra. We performed 6 pieces - about a half an hour - and then we finished with the combined finale of Brittan's Sentimental Sarabande and Frolicsome Finale...and wow...it sounded amazing in that hall.
We have certainly felt welcomed here in Newcastle. Some CJSers have visited the beach, some have raced cars (on a miniature track), some played Wii...we're living the Australian life now.
But...the rain continues...maybe tomorrow the sun will start to shine.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!
We have arrived in Australia. We drove to Newcastle. Our children have gone home with their new billets. The adults enjoyed a lovely meal at Doan's friend, Ian Cook's home. And now we are finally ready to sleep.
Let's just say, we put the Fun in Whangerai. What a wonderful time we had in New Zealand. We must thank our tour guides - Yvonne and Budgie - and our bus drivers - Kitaro and Paul. We will miss you! We had a great time with them! And we have so many stories. Our Saturday evening concert was to a filled hall despite the heavy rain. We had no idea we would have such a great audience. We played the Organ Concerto, Tango, and Intermezzo...among others.
We must also thank our Whangerai billets. The kids had an amazing time. Though the weather on Saturday did not permit some activities, they still went mud sliding (John King, Luke and Danny), played lots of board games, visited the beach (Kerstin and Brittany), played cards, watched movies, checked out the flooding harbor...and of course sampled more New Zealand cuisine. Thank you Maria and everyone at Whangerai!
Anyway, we arrived on schedule at the Auckland airport only to find that our plane was delayed two hours. We had no trouble killing that time however...the shopping in the airport was excellent. When we arrived in Sydney we found more rain but our spirits were not dampened...we could see the opera house on our descent into the city (and then we got to drive across the Harbour Bridge en route to Newcastle.) Plus we were told by the customs officer at the Sydney Airport that we were the best group she has worked with. Our children were so polite and followed directions brilliantly. Plus we were the first Americans to come through claiming to have no food (food is not allowed to come through customs in Australia) and when the dog sniffed our bags...he found no food. Hooray for CJS!
Unfortunately or fortunately the Australian Wallabies beat the New Zealand All Blacks in the Rugby Game on Saturday night. We aren't sure which team to root for really.
We will miss the Kiwis, but Australia, here we come!
Let's just say, we put the Fun in Whangerai. What a wonderful time we had in New Zealand. We must thank our tour guides - Yvonne and Budgie - and our bus drivers - Kitaro and Paul. We will miss you! We had a great time with them! And we have so many stories. Our Saturday evening concert was to a filled hall despite the heavy rain. We had no idea we would have such a great audience. We played the Organ Concerto, Tango, and Intermezzo...among others.
We must also thank our Whangerai billets. The kids had an amazing time. Though the weather on Saturday did not permit some activities, they still went mud sliding (John King, Luke and Danny), played lots of board games, visited the beach (Kerstin and Brittany), played cards, watched movies, checked out the flooding harbor...and of course sampled more New Zealand cuisine. Thank you Maria and everyone at Whangerai!
Anyway, we arrived on schedule at the Auckland airport only to find that our plane was delayed two hours. We had no trouble killing that time however...the shopping in the airport was excellent. When we arrived in Sydney we found more rain but our spirits were not dampened...we could see the opera house on our descent into the city (and then we got to drive across the Harbour Bridge en route to Newcastle.) Plus we were told by the customs officer at the Sydney Airport that we were the best group she has worked with. Our children were so polite and followed directions brilliantly. Plus we were the first Americans to come through claiming to have no food (food is not allowed to come through customs in Australia) and when the dog sniffed our bags...he found no food. Hooray for CJS!
Unfortunately or fortunately the Australian Wallabies beat the New Zealand All Blacks in the Rugby Game on Saturday night. We aren't sure which team to root for really.
We will miss the Kiwis, but Australia, here we come!
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Whangerai Gale...
So today we've experienced a New Zealand Gale...or a very strong rain storm brought off the ocean. It has been a very wet day but our concert is on schedule for this evening at 7:00. The adults' trip to the Bay of Islands was rained out as well as the soccer and rugby games that the CJSers were supposed to attend with their billets...but all in all it has been a memorable day in Whangerei.
We had such a great time at the Kamo Intermediate school yesterday. Not only were we all taken around the school with student guides, but we were also entertained by the students' performance of traditional Maori songs and the Haka (the warrior's chant...performed the the New Zealand All Black rugby team before every game). Our kids performed a half hour concert for the students featuring: Rondeau, Paganini's Variations, Csardas, Pizzicato Polka, Cakewalk and Tchaikowsky's Serenade for Strings (mvmt. 4). We weren't sure how things would go as we had not played together for a week...but no worries...all was well!
The evening Sausage Sizzle and Rehearsal were interesting. We did work with the Whangerei students and conductor on the Moldau piece in preparation for this evening's concert and the CJS students did not disappoint musically or behavior-wise. They are fabulous kids and represent their families and their country brilliantly!
Enjoy your clear, sunny weather.
We had such a great time at the Kamo Intermediate school yesterday. Not only were we all taken around the school with student guides, but we were also entertained by the students' performance of traditional Maori songs and the Haka (the warrior's chant...performed the the New Zealand All Black rugby team before every game). Our kids performed a half hour concert for the students featuring: Rondeau, Paganini's Variations, Csardas, Pizzicato Polka, Cakewalk and Tchaikowsky's Serenade for Strings (mvmt. 4). We weren't sure how things would go as we had not played together for a week...but no worries...all was well!
The evening Sausage Sizzle and Rehearsal were interesting. We did work with the Whangerei students and conductor on the Moldau piece in preparation for this evening's concert and the CJS students did not disappoint musically or behavior-wise. They are fabulous kids and represent their families and their country brilliantly!
Enjoy your clear, sunny weather.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Off to Whangerei
We are here! Currently our CJS kids are eating lunch at Kamo Intermediate School with year 7 and year 8 students from New Zealand. We have spent time looking around the school, participating in classroom activities, playing games. We will play our concert for the entire school of 640 students in about a half an hour.
Last night the CJSers met their first billet hosts and they went home! Reports this morning were varied but all good. The best stories came from John King, Luke Lentini, and Danny Jung who jumped from hot tub to swimming pool to trampoline and back followed by video games. They had a blast. Whitney and Liz went possum hunting...literally. All the students enjoyed sampling New Zealand home-cooking. They ate broccoli with celery, poached eggs, new and different cereals. It was all very interesting.
Prior to our arrival in Whangerei, we stopped at Hobbiton and were entertained by stories of the filming of Lord of the Rings and we were amazed by the beautiful scenery we saw. Wow! It was gorgeous...we'll have pictures...lots of pictures. This morning before we came to the school we got another taste of the beautiful New Zealand countryside by visiting the Whangerei Falls. Wow again! Amazing. These Kiwis have been blessed with the most beautiful landscapes in the world!
So...off to our concert. We'll chat later.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Kia Ora!
Kia Ora is Maori for Hello, Goodday, All is well. We learned so much about Maori culture today but actually we started the day looking at a different side of New Zealand life.
After a lovely breakfast at the hotel we headed to the Agrodome where we were entertained by a sheep shearer who introduced us to 15 breed of sheep (my favorite is the Suffolk...but most of our group was partial to the Merino), showed us how to shear a sheep and milk a cow. In fact, Whitney and Bobbie Walker both got to milk the cow on stage. Then at the end of the show they brought out 4 little lambs and Matthias was able to give one a bottle. Good fun. We then watched one of their herding dogs herd sheep through the paddock followed by a demonstrating of carding the sheep's wool and turning it into thread. There were some fabulous sweaters, blankets and yarns to buy at the Agrodome. Don't be surprised if some of them found their way into our purchases!
After lunch in the town of Rotorua we headed to Te Puia - the home of the thermal activity in Rotorua. We saw geysers erupt, bubbling mud pools and learned a lot about Maori culture and history. The Maori are the native New Zealanders...well as of 900 AD. They are Polynesian and were noticing significant similarities between the Maori culture and the Hawaiian culture in our country.
In the evening we went to a Hangi Feast and Maori Welcoming Ceremony. We nominated Mr. Walker and Jon Welch as our chiefs and through the Maori warrior's reception of them, we were all welcomed in. We saw a Maori song and dance demonstration and then we ate a meal that was prepared in pits filled with white hot volcanic stones. Very tasty...especially the Pavlova for dessert!
Tomorrow we look forward to our visit to Hobbiton and our first night in billets/homestays!
Kia Ora and God be with you all!
After a lovely breakfast at the hotel we headed to the Agrodome where we were entertained by a sheep shearer who introduced us to 15 breed of sheep (my favorite is the Suffolk...but most of our group was partial to the Merino), showed us how to shear a sheep and milk a cow. In fact, Whitney and Bobbie Walker both got to milk the cow on stage. Then at the end of the show they brought out 4 little lambs and Matthias was able to give one a bottle. Good fun. We then watched one of their herding dogs herd sheep through the paddock followed by a demonstrating of carding the sheep's wool and turning it into thread. There were some fabulous sweaters, blankets and yarns to buy at the Agrodome. Don't be surprised if some of them found their way into our purchases!
After lunch in the town of Rotorua we headed to Te Puia - the home of the thermal activity in Rotorua. We saw geysers erupt, bubbling mud pools and learned a lot about Maori culture and history. The Maori are the native New Zealanders...well as of 900 AD. They are Polynesian and were noticing significant similarities between the Maori culture and the Hawaiian culture in our country.
In the evening we went to a Hangi Feast and Maori Welcoming Ceremony. We nominated Mr. Walker and Jon Welch as our chiefs and through the Maori warrior's reception of them, we were all welcomed in. We saw a Maori song and dance demonstration and then we ate a meal that was prepared in pits filled with white hot volcanic stones. Very tasty...especially the Pavlova for dessert!
Tomorrow we look forward to our visit to Hobbiton and our first night in billets/homestays!
Kia Ora and God be with you all!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
WE Have ARRIVED!!
After a smooth flight to LA with the best flight attendants we could ask for and a very long, but fine flight to Auckland, we have arrived. Everyone slept a bit on the almost 14 hour flight...though some not very much! (They are feeling it now - that's for sure!) We managed to gather cellos (which are all in fine shape) and almost all luggage (one bag was in a hurry to get to Australia...we're hoping it will still show up here in Rotorua tonight) and then we were off.
It has been raining off and on all day which does hinder some of the views of the amazing New Zealand countryside, but it is still very beautiful. We were all awed by what we saw in the gloworm caves...we were afraid we would miss out on the boat ride through the cave because of the high water, but we just made it.
We made a couple of stops in various NZ towns for lunch and pictures and then we arrived in Rotorua a town known by its distinct smell...Evan says it reminds him of his mom's meatloaf.
So now we're off to bed.
We hope to have some pictures up soon...
Cheerio!
It has been raining off and on all day which does hinder some of the views of the amazing New Zealand countryside, but it is still very beautiful. We were all awed by what we saw in the gloworm caves...we were afraid we would miss out on the boat ride through the cave because of the high water, but we just made it.
We made a couple of stops in various NZ towns for lunch and pictures and then we arrived in Rotorua a town known by its distinct smell...Evan says it reminds him of his mom's meatloaf.
So now we're off to bed.
We hope to have some pictures up soon...
Cheerio!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Goodbye Concert!
Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 PM in the Loveland Middle School auditorium...We will perform our music for the tour.
Then - less than 72 hours before we depart on our journeys! Happy Packing!
Then - less than 72 hours before we depart on our journeys! Happy Packing!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Uniforms!
Uniforms have arrived and they have been sorted. Be sure to bring your suitcase to camp on TUESDAY so that you can take your clothes home and start packing!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Camp is Coming!!
Our trip is getting closer and closer...less than 2 weeks! Next Monday (July 14) we will be having CJS Camp starting at 9:00 at the Loveland Intermediate School. Plan on having parents come at 2:30 for an Information Session from 2:30-4.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sunday, June 8
Sunday, June 8 from 2-4 at the Loveland Intermediate School we will hold our first Down Under Tour Rehearsal. We will be brushing the dust off our old favorites as we prepare for the trip.
If you need directions to the school, be sure to email Mei Carpenter.
If you need directions to the school, be sure to email Mei Carpenter.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Spring Concert
Though we are excited to travel to Australia and New Zealand in July, we are now preparing for our Spring Concert on Sunday, May 11 at 3:00 PM in the Patricia Corbett Theater of UC's College Conservatory of Music.
Rehearsals the next two weeks will run from 2:00-4:30 in preparation for the concert.
Rehearsals the next two weeks will run from 2:00-4:30 in preparation for the concert.
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