Orchestra to go to Spain in 2014

Although the summer of 2014 seems far away, the music department is already preparing for a tour of Spain from June 21 to July 4.

All the orchestras and the Symphonic Band will go on the tour. They will be joined by the advanced Spanish classes: 3, 4H and 5AP, led by Spanish teacher Arnaldo Rodrigeux. However, freshmen that year will not be permitted to go.

The tour was originally scheduled for this summer, but due to poor economic circumstances in Spain, the trip was canceled.

“The reason we’re going this year and not last is because last year, the WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Band and Ensembles) conference was to take place in Valencia, but with the economic crisis in Europe, they pulled funding [for it],” music department chair Michael Boitz said. “Now that things are better [economically], we can go.”

The tour will start in Madrid, then go to the cities of Valencia, Peñiscola, Barcelona, San Sebastian, and finish in Madrid again. The groups will perform in Valencia, Peñiscola, Barcelona and San Sebastian.

“It’s an amazing experience,” Boitz said. “We’re performing in three of the best concert halls in Spain. It’s like performing in three Carnegie Halls.”

However, some students expressed concern over the price of the trip, which is tentatively about $4,500.

“Although it sounds like a great experience, for that [amount of] money, you can take the whole family, as opposed to only one person,” sophomore violinist Vincent Huang said.

Boitz agreed that it was expensive, but that the price was justified.

“The transportation, the gratuity and many meals are included in [the price],” Boitz said. “Not only that, [the groups] will be be performing in world-class concert halls.”

Even though price may be a concern, the trip looks to be a promising one.

“It’s a larger, more significant trip than we’ve ever taken,” Boitz said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”