VW band heading to New York City

Van Wert bands information

Just after dinner this evening, members of the Van Wert High School Band will board two deluxe motor coaches headed for New York City. Loaded with students, chaperones, staff members, luggage, instruments and band uniforms the coaches will pull away from VWHS this evening at 7.

The planning of this trip began well over a year ago. A committee of band directors and parent volunteers looked at several destinations and decided that a return trip to New York City was the right choice. The band first went to “the Big Apple” in 2006 and went again in 2010. Prior to NYC, the band traveled to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla. Before selecting a destination the committee considered educational opportunities, performance venues, cultural experiences and cost.

Most students have been raising money for years by working the Fair Band Parent Stand, fair parking Lot, concession stands, and selling everything from script cards to poinsettias to help offset the cost of the trip. With their trips now paid in full, the students are looking forward to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Several parent chaperones are also involved in the trip. These full-paying members of the trip will enjoy the same sights and sounds as the students. Meanwhile, parents will also help with attendance, luggage and perform chaperone duties to ensure the safety of the students.

While on the four-day trip, band members will see many fabulous New York scenes, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the former site of the World Trade Center, “The Today Show”, Wall Street, Central Park, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and more. They will eat at La Nonna’s in Little Italy and Planet Hollywood in Times Square, among other places.

The Symphonic Band will have an educational clinic with world-renowned conductor, professor and author Dr. Peter Boonshaft of Hofstra University and will also see the award-winning classical musical, Les Misérables, at the Imperial Theatre.

On Tuesday morning, set those DVRs to record “The Today Show” because local residents just might see someone from Van Wert waving hello to the NBC television camera as they enjoy the morning of their first day in The Big Apple.

For more information on this event, visit the Van Wert band website at www.vanwertbands.org, or call the Music Department at 419.238.3722. To see photos from the trip, “like” the bands on Facebook at Van Wert Bands Information, or follow them on Twitter @vwbands.