Pictures of the Trip

In addition to the links in the posts below, you can look at pictures from the trip and download them as well.

The link is:  http://gallery.me.com/bcparkcity#100294

You can also upload them via email (9.5MB limit per email – but you can send multiple emails)

The address is: bcparkcity-kgv3@post.me.com

The pictures will be automatically uploaded to the site.

Molly and I have begun work on the 22 hours of video and 2,500+ pictures already received. Each student on the trip will receive a copy of the DVD and a CD of the performances. Additional copies are available at $10 each. Please email bill.cunningham@fuse.net for more details. A portion of the proceeds will be used to offset the cost of the trip and the DVD production and development.

Disney Week Recap

It’s been a busy week for the St. X Music Program. Here’s a link to the slideshow of some of the events.

After arriving on Wednesday, the choirs met on the natural amphitheater embankment next to the lake at the Caribbean Resort.

Thursday was choir competition. Shades of Blue and the Bomber Chorus performed at the Saratoga Springs Resort at Disney in the morning. After the competition, the group returned to the hotel for a quick lunch and then Something Blue and Rhythm & Blue performed at the Contemporary Hotel Ballroom near EPCOT in the afternoon.

The Strings, Wind and Jazz ensembles all practiced around 3pm on Thursday afternoon, so that they could take advantage of an afternoon/evening at one of the theme parks.

Friday was instrumental day! Men in Black (the strings) and Wind Ensemble performed at Disney’s Hollywood Performance Center in the afternoon. One of the judges, Rod Winther, was a professor at CCM at the University of Cincinnati and personally conducted the clinics for these two groups. The Jazz Band performed at Motion on Pleasure Island in the heart of Downtown Disney.

Saturday was a free day — the bombers scattered to the four amusement parks, but met at EPCOT at 7pm to line up for the awards ceremony at the performance pavilion behind the United Kingdom buidings. All groups received excellent or superior ratings with the Jazz Band receiving the GOLD Mickey for their category. Shades of Blue received an award for Best in Class. Scott Cardone won a special award for his solo in the Jazz Group, Out of the Blue – one of only two awards given for special performance achievement.

Sunday was a travel day — and the 12 hour trip became 14 hours with construction, weather and some traffic through Atlanta. We finally arrived at the Best Western in Knoxville, TN around 10pm.

Target is an 8 am departure time for the buses arriving at St. X around 12:30ish barring any traffic. Call your son’s cell phone for more details.

St X Arrives at Aruba (The Caribbean Resort at DisneyWorld)

82 degrees and sunny – it doesn’t get much better than that. The 9-hour journey lasted just a bit longer. Imagine 200 X guys descending upon a Krogers to stock their larder for the week. Average spend per person: probably $25. Watching St. X boys shop for groceries: priceless.

The group has commandeered an entire complex called Aruba that has its’ own pool, white sand beach (with volleyball nets) and a short walk to Olde Porte – which has a food court, shopping, an extremely large pool and an arcade.

For slide show, click here.

The choirs rehearsed on the shoreline – a natural amphitheatre. On Thursday, the choirs compete in two different venues. At 10:30 am and 11:15 am Shades of Blue and the Bomber Chorus will perform at Saratoga Springs performance hall. They will return to Aruba for lunch and then Something Blue and Rhythm & Blue will take for their competition.

The Caravan Heads for Macon on a Rainy Tuesday Morning

Bus 3 ready to roll

At 6:00 am the team began assembling and stuffing the underbellies of the caravan with luggage and instruments. By 6:16 am, the job was done — and the rest of the passengers began to arrive. Donuts, OJ, ham sandwiches, Vault were delivered to provide plenty of sugar for the trip down.

The buses departed at 7:39 am — a little off schedule — but still way ahead of last year! Most of the crew opted for snoozing as shown in the gallery.

Click here to view a quick slide show of the morning.

Bus 3 ready to roll

Monday – Preparing for the Journey

Jack Ain't Drivin' This Baby

All of the luggage and travelers arrived at 6:00 pm Monday night. Lining the performance halls, the suitcases await the arrival of Lakefront Lines bus caravan. After a quick announcement and rehearsals, everyone went their merry way — to get a great night\’s sleep before heading off to Macon, Georgia!

Check out the slide show by clicking here!