LCPA Band Blog

Every trip (since technology made it possible) we make a DVD containing pictures we get from all of those in attendance.

Send us your pics.

We have told the kids we would like them on Monday.  We would like to get these done as soon as possible.  You can send them to us on a disc or flash drive.  Our emails are pretty locked down, so please don’t email them to us.

Please include any you most certainly did not take anywhere you shouldn’t have on Monday, April 13 (wink, wink).

Thank you.

Sunday, April 12

The day started off a little later for most of us.  Nearly all of the kids went to the Empire State Building the night before and got back late.  Their one night allowed out past curfew.  Once they were up, they scattered with the chaperones to various locations.  The group I was with went to Chinatown & Little Italy via the subway (just take the 6 to the Canal St. stop).  Some went to Soho & Greenwich Village and others went to the Garment District.  Many were able to have time with their families.

Rehearsal Started a tad late on Sunday, but otherwise went well.  The group was responding well to the guest conductor, Brad Cooper.  Our rehearsal space hosts provided pitchers of water and cups, which were very needed.  At the end of the rehearsal, they received instructions for the dress rehearsal and performance in Carnegie Hall.  This is when they also received instructions for the activity the majority were going on that evening:  Chinatown/Little Italy.

Laura Loyacono (Joe’s mom) had arranged for a taste tour through these ethnic regions of NYC.  She found a restaurant in Chinatown that could accomodate the number of students she was bringing and made reservations.  My understanding is that the food was good and the atmosphere better.  Students then made their way to Little Italy where they partook of desserts where they could be found.  The canolis were to die for.

There were two other groups that evening.  One that found their own dinner, and another that went to Brick Lane Curry House, which was featured on the Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food.  There the had the “World’s Hottest Curry”.  I used quotes for a reason.  While hot, I think we all agreed it wasn’t the hottest thing some of us had ever had.  It didn’t even take my breathe away.  We all agreed it didn’t taste very good.  Our main entrees we ordered were quite tasty.

Both of these last two groups then met at the Iridium Jazz Club in Times Square.  There, we were met by Joel Pelofsky, KCMSD School Board member.  The dessert there was good.  The jazz even better.

It was then time for a stroll through Times Square back to the hotel.  It was performance time the next day.

Monday, April 13

I think everyone awoke knowing it was actually going to happen today, but that it was also their last chance at NYC.  They were in by curfew the night before, so they were up fairly early and out about town.  Most took advantage of the nearness o Times Square while others talked chaperones into taking them to other missed locations.

We had the bus loaded and ready to go to Carnegie Hall at 3 p.m. and left.  Dress rehearsal went well and the kids dispersed for a quick bite to eat before the concert.  We were first on the concert.  It may be a biased opinion, but I think they played so well the other groups had no hope of surpassing them.

After their performance, they were taken to the top balcony to watch the rest of the concert.  It was then time to load the bus and head to the pier.  The dinner cruise was enjoyed by the students.  We were not back to the rooms until 2 a.m.

Tuesday, April 14 & 15

6:45 a.m. - The Wake-up Call.  It wasn’t good for them and I did not enjoy making them, but it had to be done.   For those of you that remember packing the bus the first time, it took 1-1/2 hours.  This time, we were able to get it loaded in just under an hour.

Off we went to Battery Park for a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  The Statue was first and we got to enjoy a  line that took over1-1/2 hours.  Once that was over and 156 steps later, we were at the base of Lady Liberty.  This is where we took the official group picture with the New York skyline as a background.

Another ferry ride took us to Ellis Island, and yet another back to the point of departure.  We loaded the bus and left NYC behind.  I would estimate that before we were completely through the Holland tunnel, 1/4 of the students were asleep.  By the time we left NYC proper, it was very close to 100%.  There was a period of wakefulness for dinner, then it was back to sleep.  Movies were played but not really watched.  It wasn’t until breakfast that the group started to wake up.  There was still some napping after that.  We were back to school at 2:30 p.m.

I know, I know.  I missed a couple of days.  To tell you the truth, the time to do it just did not happen.  It will happen tomorrow.  I know it may not be very timely, but hopefully will be good.

Until tomorrow…

Rain, Rain go away…and don’t ever come back.

It started sprinkling last night and it became a steady, thoroughly soaking rain that lasted until 5 p.m. today.  The upside is that most, if not all, of the students are with some of the chaperones right now visiting the Empire State Building.

The day started off with, what seemed to the kids, a very unappealing wake-up call from me reminding them that the bus would leave at 8:15 a.m. for Harlem.  Ms. McCune, Ms. Willingham, and Mr. & Mrs. May took a bus load, where they saw different sights through the falling water and had an excellent meal at Amy Ruth’s Chicken & Waffles.

At the same time, Mrs. Jonte took a smaller group to Soho and Ms. Sheeley took a group to the American Museum of Natural History.  A good time was had by all.

It was then time for rehearsal.  We met at 1 p.m. and loaded the bus due to the rain.  Upon arrival, we set up and began fairly promptly.  The rehearsal was a little rough at the beginning because of a day without practice and the long mind-numbing bus ride from KC.  It did get much better as the two hours continued.  The band worked hard and responded well to the guest conductor, Brad Cooper, the man that was instrumental in getting us here.

After rehearsing, we loaded the bus in the rain and came back to the hotel to prepare for the evening activities.  A large group went to Coney Island.  Luckily, the rain had stopped and they were able to  enjoy themselves and get some sunset pictures.

As I stated earlier, most of the kids went to the Empire State Building for a view of NYC at night.

More tomorrow.

Due to sleep deprivation, this post will be somewhat abbreviated.

We left school at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, which was about 15 minutes late.  There was some consternation on fitting all of our items on the bus.  We were in the process of deciding which of the students we could get along without, when we had a breakthrough in the packing.  With that accomplished, we departed.

The bus ride was fairly uneventful.  A stop in Columbia for lunch at the mall’s foodcourt, another in Dayton for a driver exchange and dinner, and a few other short 10-15 minute stops for leg stratching, gas, and other necessary functions which will remain unmentionable here.

We were finally able to answer Brad’s question, “Are we there yet?” with a”yes” at 12:45 p.m. on Friday.  Due to some traffic, we were behind and some activities for this morning were cut short.  We should hopefully remain on schedule from now on.  Um, yeah, right.

We met back at the hotel at 3:30 p.m. to unload the bus and check in.  Your kids were great!!!  There wasn’t any bickering about who was carrying what.  Everyone just came down and grabbed whatever they could.  We unloaded that bus in near record time.

Rooms were assigned and everyone began to reacquaint themselves with personal hygiene and getting ready for the evening activities.  My group went to the Birdland Jazz Club.  It was fantastic.  The food was good and the jazz was even better.  I have not gotten reports from the others on their activities.  Some of those may get delayed by a day or so as they come in.

A very large group met in the lobby and departed for the Empire State Building.  Upon arrival, we discovered that the view was virtually nonexistent  due to rain clouds.  It was decided to attempt it again Saturday evening.

We are now back, kids are in their rooms, although not all are asleep.  I am tired and ready for bed.  I hear snoring behind me.  I think it is time for a duet.

Pics will come tomorrow.

Bata

Here is our new Band Blog.  It is here that we will post comments about different activities we have.

Of course, the first big posts will be about our trip to NYC for our Carnegie performance.

Come back for more then.