Rock Canyon choir and orchestra gained musical inspiration in the Big Apple
RCHS orchestra and choir students enjoyed Times Square in New York as part of a trip of sightseeing and music inspiration.
By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Andrea Scott and Julia Dale
In April, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) choir and orchestra took a trip to New York City. More than 100 people from RCHS, chaperones included, spent Friday through Sunday exploring the city. I play violin in the RCHS orchestra and took part in this unforgettable adventure. The entire group had so much fun visiting landmarks, seeing fantastic performances, learning about music, and getting to know new people.
After getting settled in our hotel, which was right next to Times Square, we went to the Empire State Building and viewed the city from above. We took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was amazing to see these historic landmarks that represent our country. We also walked through Wall Street, visited the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and saw our first Broadway performance, “Miss Saigon.”
On Saturday, we walked to Rockefeller Center and toured Radio City Music Hall. Kennedy Scott, a Castle Pines resident who plays cello for RCHS, said, “My favorite thing about the New York trip was the tour of Radio City Music Hall. The people who designed it put so much time and thought into the theater to make it perfect for anyone.”
For lunch, we ate at Ellen’s Stardust Diner where the waiters and waitresses sang to us while we ate. That afternoon, we saw our second Broadway performance, Disney’s “Aladdin.” After dinner, our tour group split up to see different performances. I went to see the New York Philharmonic, and they were phenomenal! After the performance, we had the opportunity to speak with a violinist from the orchestra. The other group members went to see the new Broadway performance, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
On our last day, we participated in a workshop designed for choir students, but the orchestra enjoyed it, too. To end our trip, we took a stroll through Central Park.
The sightseeing in New York was wonderful, but this trip was also a great time to meet new people and learn more about music. I personally really enjoyed seeing the New York Philharmonic, and I will remember how perfect their playing was when I practice. It was also interesting to see the pit orchestras from both the Broadway performances I attended. I got to know my orchestra friends better and make new friends. RCHS orchestra student Katherine Hainer said, “I loved how many new people I met on the trip. I loved how many great new friends I made!”
