A Tale by Clement Clarke Moore, Arranged by Ben Tullis

'Twas the night before the band trip

and all through the house,

All the creatures were stirring,

Yes, even the mouse.

My clothes are packed in my suitcase with care,

in hopes that the band trip will soon be here.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter...

Well... ok so we don't have mice in my house.

And the clatter is definitely in the house, and not on the lawn. And maybe my suitcase isn't completely packed.

But the creatures are stirring as we rush around trying to get me completely packed and ready. However, progress is currently being hindered by the cat sitting in my suitcase.

Wow, I can't believe the trip is already upon us. This will be my first time leaving the country, but I couldn't think of a better way to take my first international trip than with 87 of my colleagues from Downers Grove North and South. Throughout the rehearsals this week, I have gotten to make great music, and new friends, and I can't wait to get on that plane tomorrow and share two weeks immersed in a new culture with them! I am so anxious to meet my host family and I am looking forward to new experiences in Germany. I would like to thank the music staff from North and South for preparing this trip and making it all possible so that me and many others can experience world cultures first hand. Well I'm done for right now, I will talk to you all from Germany!

...Happy band trip to all,

And to all a good night!

Are you ready for take off?

Well, here we are the big night. The last rush of shopping for items and figuring out how to stuff anything else into our poor suite cases. Everything in my house is starting to climb to a climax as each hour passes getting nearer to our departure. I can feel a small case of the butterfly's in my stomach, I have never traveled over seas especially without my family. I wonder what I will see when I look out the window of our plane, does the ocean seem as big and vast from the sky as it does on land? I certainly am excited for tomorrow as this long dream is ready to become reality. I remember back in December when I thought "How cool would it be to go to Germany! I wish I could go.", and now here we are actually doing it.

This is such a blessing that we were given the opportunity to do such an amazing thing with our music. It will be the connector of our two worlds over there and I just can't wait. I want to hear the melody of their humming streets, bustling vendors, and whistle of the wind as it passes by. But the best part is that no matter where I am or what I am doing, when I will look up into the sky I know that some where back home my family will be seeing the same thing.

I wish you all the best in your adventurous packing, and I hope that your last night home is spent well in the company of your loved ones. Good night, and see you tomorrow.
~Jen

Preparing for Takeoff!

I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to go on the airplane tomorrow and arrive in Germany. This trip will be my third trip with the band. (I previously traveled to New York and Indianapolis.) It will also be my third international school trip. (I went to France with the French department and Greece with the social studies department.) Each trip has been completely unique and I am thrilled to discover this new atmosphere. When the German band came here last May, I formed several great new friendships, including the girl I hosted, Mirja. I know my stay at her house will bring us even closer. I am excited to call her my German sister. I know that no trip is complete without a few nervous moments. And I know that I will be up late tonight double and triple checking my suitcase. But I also know that this is a trip of a lifetime and I will have many years of fond memories.
Tschus! Next time I write I will be in Bietigheim!

On the eve of departure...

As we get closer and closer to our eminent departure, I keep getting more and more excited. I have finished packing--yay!--and have made sure that my bag is under 50 pounds (although, just barely--it's 49!) I even bought a new suitcase just for this trip and it works very well. But you probably don't care much about my executive upright suitcase by Samsonite (even though the roller wheels really are extraordinary), so I will instead tell you a little bit about what some of the people I've talked to are feeling, as we approach our departure, just to give you an idea of how we the students are feeling...

I've talked to a lot of people about how they are feeling about this trip. Most people are feeling really good about it, some have mixed feelings, and some are a little unsure and anxious. Here are some of the things people have said to me (some are paraphrased for brevity and clarity, in which case they are marked as '...' instead of "...")...

'Yeah, I think it'll be a good time. Seems like this week [of rehearsals] is dragging on forever! I can't wait to get there!'

"Should be good."

'Yeah, I've never been out of the country, so it'll be a little weird at first, but I'm sure I'll like it.'

"I am so incredibly excited for tomorrow!"--Mr. Teague (I think he might be the most excited out of all of us.)

"The word tour reminds me of our church choir tour and that was so much fun, so I can't wait!"

As you can see, many people are very enthusiastic about this trip. This will be my last blog before we depart. I look forward to writing about our travel experience on Sunday. Until then...CP

CHAPERONING BAG-O-FUN

Greetings:

I am rife with anticipation for a myriad of reasons. This is my first time to Europe EVER!!! First, being on the precipice of experiencing architectural art history in person is an amazing feeling. I have longed to see the things I've seen in books in person for years - now that yearning is about to become a reality. Second, this tour is going to be musically amazing. When I first read the term HONOR BAND, I must admit I was slightly skeptical. After hearing the sonic emanations during the course of this rehearsal week, my suppositions were proven wrong - both ensembles are truly HONORS BANDS. Parents - be proud of how your kids are sounding this week. Finally, I am truly excited to be a chaperone (as demonstrated by the photo of the BAG-O-FUN that is about to travel with us.) As a director, I've been insulated from chaperoning duties for years. Now that this charge is a major part of my purpose on this trip, I look forward to embracing it to the best of my ability. My first time in Europe, with a bag-o-fun, making great music. The next two weeks are indeed going to produce a lifetime of memories for many reasons.

Tchus,

Mr. Williams (aka G-dub)

Our Blog begins to transition ...

Dear Honors Band Families:

Our Blog for the tour is now beginning an important transition, as we pivot the focus away from official pre-tour announcements to personal reflections by our Blogging Team. Five North High, and five South High students, have agreed to write about their daily activities and personal discoveries throughout the tour. Their posts, along with the reflections of our faculty, will - we hope - offer family and friends 'back home' a way to follow this special trip.

If you are new to following/reading Blogs, you may not be aware that each post (well, most posts) should contain a 'Label' at the bottom, identifying either the author, or a topic that pertains to that post. You can 'click' on these labels. Doing so will allow you to see all the posts of that particular author, or all posts of a particular topic. This may be helpful to you during the next two weeks if you care to view a series of posts by one particular blogger.

From my personal perspective, I want to say to our parents and guardians just how proud the music faculty is of this incredible group of young men and women who will embark on this journey. We all (faculty and students) feel a great sense of responsibility to perpetuate this tremendous cultural and musical exchange program with our friends in Bietigheim-Bissingen. Thank you to you - our families - for all the things you have done to help prepare our students for success on this tour.

We learned today from our contact in Berlin that our concert in historic Wittenberg (the native town of Martin Luther) is nearly sold-out. They expect all 400 seats to be gone in a matter of days. That's exciting news for our bands! I'll add the concert poster above. Click on it to see a larger version.

After weeks and months preparing details for 88 others, I'm realizing I need to pack myself. Off I go ...

Eagerly Awaiting Depature...

Hello friends! As I write this, when I should be sleeping, I am filled with positive feelings and expectations for this my second trip to Germany. In many aspects, I think that this trip will be more worthwhile since I've been there once before, for a variety of reasons. Once you know what to expect, it can make the transition next time all the easier. Also, I now know what to "look out for"--both in positive ways and about "things to avoid." I learned the hard way that certain things we say in english directly translated into German do not mean the same things, and can be offensive and embarassing, even. Learning the intricacies of the language and figures of speech the hard way was beneficial for me, albeit humiliating.

As I mentioned earlier, though, it is also very positive to know things ahead of time. For example, we will be visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, a place which we went on my last trip and I absolutely adored. It will be great fun to go and see it again, especially since I know more about German culture now. It will also be a unique opportunity to perform for European audiences, which on my last trip we did not do. This will be exhilarating, I am sure and I can't wait to share our hard work with the German public. I also have learned to speak the language better--two more years practice makes a big difference--so I will be able to practice and enjoy this skill even more thoroughly this time around.

Overall, I am really looking forward to this. Of course, I always have slight trepidation when it comes to 9 hour transatlantic flights, but that's just me being me. I look forward to finishing up the heretofore outstanding rehearsal process and embarking on our journey!

P.S. One last final nugget of advice: Bring earplugs (multiple pairs) and an eye shade for sleeping. On the plane, they will be a godsend--and also in your hotel rooms/host homes, if you are around anyone who feels the need to add some percussion sound effects during their sleep!

More later...CP

Packing, packing, packing....oh dear!

Wow, in just three days off we go to Germany! As exciting as it is, there is so much to do. I know packing is a big thing for me. At this point my head is spinning, should I bring this or will I need that. Right now all I am certain that must be packed is my tooth brush and a few other things. It seems like it is going to be hard to fit all the things I will need for two weeks into just 50 pounds. Plus I want to go a bit lighter than that because, hey it's Germany, who knows what I souvenirs I will want to bring home!
The busy bustling about at my house is starting to drive me insane. I wouldn't be surprised if I walked in my room only to find my suitcase open and my family trying to fit inside. I know that while I am having a blast performing in Germany, at home my mom and dad will wait wondering about what I'm doing, the things I will have seen, and if I miss them as much as they want me too. (P.s. I probably will.) But I am glad that they are letting me go on such a wonderful trip that will open my eyes to a whole new world.

First Rehearsal

Students gathered today for the first combined rehearsals of the District 99 Honors Band and Honors Jazz Ensemble. Rehearsals were long, but very productive, and there is a great spirit and energy about this group of fine young men and women. The directors are very excited about what promises to be a terrific tour!

Group Photo

Itinerary Now Available through Google Calendar

For tour participants, parents, or friends who use Google Calendars, please note that the entire D99 Honors Band Itinerary is now live using this scheduling software.

Benefits ...
- itinerary is easily accessible from any computer connected to the Internet
- you may link the itinerary to your personal Google calendar.
- you may sync the itinerary with computer calendars such as iCal, Outlook, etc.
- you may sync the itinerary with your cell phone (iPhone, or other phones with calendar apps) and other portable electronic devices (Palm, PocketPC, etc.)


If you use Google calendar, and subscribe to the itinerary from the Blog, you can easily "search" specific events.

You can access the Google Calendar version of the itinerary in several ways:

1) use the link in the upper right hand corner of the Blog. This will redirect you to a new webpage where you can view the itinerary and all the various event details.

2) you will notice that a mini-version is embedded on the right hand column of the Blog.

3) If you would like to subscribe to the itinerary, go to the main Google Calendar page (www.google.com/calendar/) and type in "D99 Honors Band" into the "Search Public Calendars" field.

For instructions on how to take "Google" on the go with your mobile device, click here.

Attire Update

Some recent questions we have received have led us to believe that it would be helpful to everyone if we clarify what the expectations are for student attire during the flights to and from Europe. As we looked back at our handouts from the earlier meeting, we realize this was unclear.

While traveling on June 7 and June 20 ...

Students are required to wear their tour polo shirt (which will be distributed at rehearsals the week of June 2). Students do not need to wear khaki pants or black shoes during travel (these are for our informal concerts in Europe). However, students should wear long pants. Jeans that are not ripped, do not have large holes in them, and fit appropriately, are acceptable. Shorts or "Pajama pants" are not appropriate. Look conservative and professional.

Students may wear comfortable tennis shoes with their jeans or long pants. Sandals that cover a substantial part of your foot are okay too; flip-flops are not appropriate for this portion of our journey together.

We hope this will clarify expectations for travel attire; our plan is to reinforce these expectations with students during rehearsals the week of June 2.

Host Family List / Change in Rehearsal Schedule

Host Families

It has arrived! We just received this morning the Host Family spreadsheet from our friends in Bietigheim-Bissingen. It was emailed to all tour participants this morning.

The list contains the name of the host family (Gastfamilie), as well as their address and telephone number. We have not been given host family email addresses. We imagine that some of you will receive email from the host family prior to our departure, but if you do not - don't worry. The host family will be there to greet us upon our arrival.

Itinerary

We have - just this week - been able to firm up our performances in Prague and Berlin areas. As soon as we have an updated itinerary from World Group Travel that reflects these performances, we will pass it on to you.

Practice!!

Our tour is quickly approaching. With the end of the school year upon us, our time and energy is being pulled in many different directions. Please assure that you are protecting daily time for music practice with a focus on our tour music. You must arrive at our first large-group rehearsal on Monday, June 2, with all ten concert band selections completely under your fingers! Some of this music (i.e. Godzilla Eats Las Vegas) will be new to everyone. For our Honors Band to have time to pull all of the literature together in one week, everyone must come to these rehearsals with the "technique" worked out. We will not have time to chase notes. We need to focus these rehearsals on ensemble execution, balance, blend, style, etc. Thank you for your advance work!

Rehearsal Schedule June 2 - 6

Monday, June 2

*** CHANGE FROM ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SCHEDULE DUE TO THE SNOW DAY. DISTRICT 99 FACULTY HAVE MEETINGS IN THE MORNING, SO REHEARSAL HAS BEEN PUSHED TO LATER IN THE DAY. EAT AN EARLY LUNCH BEFORE YOU ARRIVE. YOU MAY BRING A SNACK FOR THE BREAK. ***

11:30 - 2:30 PM - Honors Band

3:00 - 5:00 PM - Honors Jazz Ensemble

Tuesday, June 3 - Friday, June 6 schedule remains as previously published.

Tour updates - April 11

EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE NUMBER

This number was emailed to tour participants on April 11, 2008. If you did not receive it, please contact Mr. Teague.


HOST FAMILY UPDATE
Our friends in Bietigheim have the student information cards now, and are currently working to secure host families. We suspect (this is only our best guess) that those placements will be completed in late April or very early May. At that time we will be sent a roster of all student placements which we will forward on to you. This roster will include the name of the host family, their phone number, and their email address. You will know exactly where your student will be staying prior to our departure.


MONEY MANAGEMENT:

World Group Travel has offered the following suggestions for your consideration:
A) For those parents who already have as Visa card (or similar), you may contact your card carrier and obtain a Visa debit card that the student can take with them. Parents can monitor and add money if needed.
Follow this link for more information on Visa debit cards:

http://usa.visa.com/personal/student/debit_cards.html

Follow this link for more information on the Visa Buxx card (a form of Visa debit cards):

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_buxx.html

B) There is a company in Lisle called Travelex whom World Group Travel customers have used.

www.travelex.com

1504 N Naper Blvd # 148
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 955-0535
Travelex can provide cash for those who would like something in their pocket as well as variety of Debit Card options.

MEAL EXPENSES:

We are now able to provide an estimate of how much money students will need for meals during the second week of the tour (that are not covered in the tour package).

Students will be responsible for five (5) lunches during the second week. June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. A typical bakery sandwich, chips and a drink – or fast food meal like McDonalds or KFC – will cost approximately 8 Euro ($13 at today's rate of 1.60 = $1). Therefore a budget of approximately $65 US should be adequate.


STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

Relative to students being present in social situations where alcohol may be present, we are able to offer the following clarifying language:

Students may – as a part of this tour – find themselves in culturally appropriate situations where they will be interacting with adults who are legally consuming alcohol. Examples include:
• meals in the host-family home
• post-concert wine & cheese receptions
• performances at city-governed outdoor band-shells or parks
• rest stops on the autobahn
• informal social dances with Musikschule students at local restaurants (i.e. Waldhaus disco, Asperg, etc.)
• Musikschule sponsored meals in public restaurants
• Guided group tours through a local brewery

Students on this tour are permitted to be present in the situations outlined above. However, to be clear, it is important for students to understand that they are not – under any circumstance – permitted to consume alcohol. Any violations of this District 99 policy will result in the termination of tour participation for the student participant. If you have any questions regarding this policy, make certain you communicate with your band director prior to departure for clarification.

Final Payment Update

Dear D99 Honors Band tour participants and families:

We have recently received information from World Group Travel that airline imposed fuel surcharges, coupled with the continually weakening U.S. dollar vs. the Euro, will necessitate an increase in the total tour package cost. This is detailed in a letter from World Group Travel that was emailed to all participating families on April 10, 2008. If you did not receive this letter, or the final payment coupon (Coupon #8), please contact Mr. Teague via email and he will resend it.

When the district received this information last week, we negotiated with the agency to allow payment at the end of May (as opposed to adding the additional money to the 7th payment). As such, please remit the 8th and final payment no later than May 30, 2008.

We trust you know that - as a faculty - we have done everything we can to modify the itinerary and create cost-savings as we have put the program together. We are concerned about the extra financial burden this places on families, but we recognize that there is only so much control or influence we have over inflationary costs. You may have seen in the news this week that fuel prices are upwards of 60% higher this year than April of 2007. And this of course has a domino impact on the entire economy.

Should your family have immediate concern about being able to accommodate the cost increase, please contact your band director at school and we will work with you to create a payment schedule that will insure your student does not miss the opportunity to travel on this very special tour. We stand ready to help as needed.

Bill Miller
Craig Roselieb
Brayer Teague
Glenn Williams

Beyond the Rhythms on the Page

March 10 Meeting Follow-Up

Thank you very much for your attendance at this evening's meeting, and for your kind attention to the presentation. Based on several questions we fielded at the end of the evening, we wanted to share the following:

* We neglected to return to the topic of host families and WHEN students will find out who they are staying with. Our friends in Bietigheim have the student information cards now, and are currently working to secure host families. We suspect (this is only our best guess) that those placements will be completed in late April or very early May. At that time we will be sent a roster of all student placements which we will forward on to you. This roster will include the name of the host family, their phone number, and their email address. You will know exactly where your student will be staying prior to our departure.

* Due to the short rehearsal schedule prior to our departure, and the fact that many students will immediately attend camps upon our return, there will not be a public concert here in Downers Grove by the Honors Band. Fortunately, Don Wilson's participation on the tour will allow our concerts to be taped while in Germany, and DGTV will air these locally later in the summer.

TRAVEL WAIVER / MEDICAL FORMS:

If you did not turn in your packet of forms this evening, please add a copy of you medical insurance card, and return the packet to your band director at school PRIOR TO SPRING BREAK. If you turned in the packet, but without the medical insurance card copy, please bring a copy of that card to your band director PRIOR TO SPRING BREAK.

MONEY MANAGEMENT:

In the next several weeks we will share with you more detailed information about money management options you may consider. If in your own personal research you find options that you feel other families might find appealing, please feel free to forward your ideas/suggestions to me, and I will compile these in the next correspondence.


MEAL EXPENSES:

We are waiting for an updated itinerary from World Group Travel relative to the second week of the tour. As soon as we have that, we will provide to you a more concrete list of meals students will be responsible for buying, and an estimate of how much money they will need for said meals.


STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

We will be seeking clarification from the District 99 Administrative Office relative to students be present in a social situation where alcohol may be present (i.e. at a local disco). The forms distributed this evening utilize the standard language found in every District 99 overnight travel waiver (with one exception added about dinners with host families). We will make sure that all tour participants hear a consistent message about our expectations in the weeks to come.


Thank you to Zach Wetta for preparing information to share with families this evening.

Tour Polo Shirts / Tour T-Shirts

Tour polo shirts will be worn with khakis during airline travel and for casual, outdoor performances.

You may purchase more than one polo shirt, if you choose. (Some may want to do this since we will be wearing them more than once. Keep in mind, though, that you will be staying in a home the first week and will have access to washing machines.)

As a gift for your host family, you will be leaving behind a T-shirt with the same design and a list of all tour participants on the back. If you would like one of these T-shirts as a keepsake, please indicate that below. Note: You do not need to specifically order a T-shirt size for your host family. The shirt will be "one size fits most.".

The required tour polo / host family gift combo will cost students $20.00. This money will cover the cost of both shirts. (Additional polos will be $17 each, and students may purchase their own souvenir t-shirt (optional) for $7 each.

Students will be asked to fill out a size-chart/order form at the March 10 meeting, and families will be asked to submit $20 by check or cash on Monday night. Please come prepared with your check book or cash. (Please note that all checks - regardless of your child's school - will be made out to "North High School Fine Arts."

(Note: This shirt is available in Men's 3XL, 2XL, XL, L, M, S and Ladies 2XL, XL, L, M, S)

Roommate Preferences - express on March 10

At the Monday, March 10 meeting students will be given the opportunity to share their roommate preferences for the second week of the tour. While we are in hotels (Prague and Berlin) students will be assigned primarily to TRIPLES.

If students have a roommate preference, they should work collaboratively prior to the Monday night meeting to create groups of three. They will then have the opportunity to write down those three names on a "request sheet" at the meeting. This will be the only opportunity for students to give their input relative to roommates.

Students who do not have a preference will be placed in room groups based on gender, age, instrument, and school.

March 10 Meeting Reminder / Passport Expiration Date

Families are reminded of the mandatory parent/student meeting on Monday, March 10, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held at SOUTH High in the Cafetorium. This meeting will cover all legal and medical forms that must be completed for travel, updates on the itinerary, and an optional presentation at the conclusion of the meeting by representatives of Best Buy's telecommunications department, that will share suggestions with families regarding cell-phone use in Europe.

OF SPECIAL IMPORTANT NOTE: Concerning the expiration date of passports: THE EXPIRATION DATE ON ALL PASSPORTS MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 6 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF TRAVEL. (i.e. returning in June 08, must have expiration date of at least December 08.) We have been informed that renewals are now taking 4-8 weeks. If anyone needs to, they should immediately 'renew' their passport and ask for the process to be put on 'expedite.'

We look forward to seeing you on March 10th.