Choir traveling to Italy; band, orchestra seniors welcome

On July 5, the choir will be touring at various cathedrals in Rome, Venice and Sienna for two weeks. Most of the students in the music department have been waiting for such an opportunity. This is especially true for the Class of 2012, which is unfortunately missing the opportunity for an international trip that other grades have enjoyed.

“I’m excited because I’ve been looking forward to an international trip since freshman year,” senior Andrea Liu said. “During freshmen year, we had the opportunity to go to Austria, Germany and Switzerland with the music department, but a lot of people chose to wait until senior year.”
Usually, the music department plans an international trip every two years so either the juniors or seniors will be able to go. Unfortunately, due to the impromptu trip to Carnegie Hall last year, orchestra and band will not be going on one this year.
“These trips tend to get very pricey,” music director Michael Boitz said. “We don’t want to ask too much of the parents.”
Luckily, choir has decided to plan a trip to Italy and has welcomed any band, guard or orchestra seniors who wish to tag along. This way, seniors will still be able to have their big trip. The trip is ambitious, so it will cost about $3,000 to $4,000, which may be a deciding factor for some musicians.
However, the music department will also be taking trips to closer places like the annual choir trip to San Francisco and recent trips to Los Angeles and Disneyland, which are not as expensive. For those not going to Italy, orchestra and band will still be taking a short trip to Santa Monica in February. In addition to this trip, a few seniors will be going to Italy with choir.
“I think it was very kind and wonderful of Mr. Yowell to invite us because of the situation our year has been placed in,” senior baritonist Jasmine Grant said. “I went on an international trip my freshman year, and it was the most fun thing I have ever done in my life. I am willing to do everything I can, even try to polish my vocal cords, to have a similar experience.”