Looking for away to travel the globe? Consider joining one of Edina High School’s bands. Senior Natalie Bentley, who is going on the band’s upcoming trip to New York City, has been to Chicago and Beijing with the group.
The EHS Concert, Varsity, and Symphonic bands leave on Tuesday, November 8 and will be gone for six days. The band was selected “to march in the ninety-second Veteran’s Day Parade in New York City,” said Andrew Richter, marching band director at EHS. In addition the band is going to be a part of the Band of Pride, which means they will perform in Times Square to honor the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The EHS band was selected over a year ago for what Vincent McGowan, president of the United War Veterans’ Council, called its “incredible style and talent.”
“I am most excited about getting to march down 5th Avenue and play in Times Square,” said sophomore Ben Kilberg. Bentley added her excitement about the opportunity as well. She is looking forward to being a part of the 9/11 memorial.”I think …it is an honor as a band to get to march in a parade to not only honor our veterans but also pay tribute to an event that has hugely affected the nation we have grown up in,” Bentley said. Richter agrees with Bentley, citing the trip as an opportunity for “students to be a part of a celebration honoring the men and women who have and are currently serving our country in the armed forces.” Pointing out that current band members were in kindergarten, first, or second grade when the events of that day took place means some “might not truly understand the magnitude of what happened ten years ago. Making a visit to the World Trade Center site and memorial… will be a moving experience making it very real for them,” Richter said.
Some may ask why it is important that trips like these take place. “It gives us motivation to work hard on our marching. Most importantly, though, I think it helps us all see that band is unifying,” Bentley explained.
Another benefit to these trips is the opportunity to meet students from other countries. Recalling her trip to China, Bentley said, “We also got to perform in the Forbidden City concert hall with several Chinese schools’ bands. While we were waiting backstage to play, some of the Chinese kids let us try out their instruments and they were equally as intrigued by ours.” An opportunity like this allows students to expand their thought about the world’s many cultures. “No matter where they’re from we can relate to them because we all have the common ground of marching band,” Bentley added.
As Kilberg gets ready for his first band trip he said, “I think it is good that the band goes on trips like these because it’s awesome to bond with your peers and make new friends while accomplishing tasks and experiencing some pretty cool stuff.” Members of the marching band leave Edina High School as students who have experienced the joy of music in many languages and cultures.
