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Lagniappe: Day 3 in New Orleans

Today, our final full day in New Orleans, was our Habitat build day. Spread out between four houses and the local Habitat ReStore, our group of 56 painted, organized tile, installed siding, picked up donated cupboards, sanded porches and cleaned up sites. It was a big day but we came away with new skills and an intense appreciation for what Habitat does for a community. 

It was also an opportunity to work hard, and work as a team on challenges that many of us have not had to do a whole lot of in our lives.  Our students are to be commended for their amazing work ethic and positive attitude through the day.  Although the weather was HOT, our spirits didn't falter, and we all accomplished our goal targets for the day.

Next up was dinner at the Hillbilly Bar-b-que where we sat at the longest table we had ever seen! The food was beyond delicious - pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs and chicken were among the choices with sides like beans, mac and cheese and potato salad to compliment the meat. Topped off with a brownie and ice cream, we left with very full stomachs after a hard day's work.


Our last stop on our New Orleans adventure was a haunted swamp tour in the Manchac Swamp. According to our captain this is the creepiest swamp of all with a rich history involving hurricanes, murder, ghosts and a hanging tree. Alive with vegetation, frogs, birds, racoons and, of course, alligators our tour took us past sites where people lived and died - or did they? At the end of the tour our captain surprised us with a young female alligator to hold and gently pass around.

We can't believe the time has passed so quickly but tomorrow we're up early to start the journey home to see ya mom'n'em. Yes, we've picked up a bit of New Orleans slang but we can't wait to tell you our stories. We've shared so many new experiences and had opportunities that will stay with us forever. Thank you, N'awlins!

Ho Na Nae; Day Two in NOLA

Day 2 in New Orleans! After a good night's sleep we started our day with culture and ended it with a cultural music exchange. In between we had a ton of fun, a little exploring and some great food.

Starting with a visit to the House of Blues we were treated to a a one hour program called "Exploring Mardi Gras Indian Traditions" delivered by Chief Tyrone Casby and his flyboy son. There was lots of interaction and role playing as we learned the story behind the Mardi Gras traditions that are practiced to this day. Following that was "The Rhythm Is Going to Move You" which saw everyone dancing and drumming as we learned how various rhythms affect the stories told by the music that is so identified with New Orleans.

A bit of time to explore the French Quarter had some investigating interesting shops while others ate beignets. There appear to be a lot of walking sticks and interesting variations of hot and hotter sauces making the journey home to Exeter!

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to book a private concert at Preservation Hall. What an absolute gift that was for each and every one of us! Six jazz musicians played traditional New Orleans jazz for us and answered questions about their lives and careers. The youngest member of today's band has been in New Orleans for just eight months and hails from Toronto. Built in 1750 as a private home and opened in 1961 as a place to protect and promote New Orlean's jazz traditions, Preservation Hall is a place where one can expect to line up for hours to hear the daily 8 PM concert so we were honoured to have the opportunity to spend a couple of hours there this afternoon.

Late afternoon saw us headed to Cohen High School which, as we discovered, proudly displays the panther paw print on their building. This partnership was meant to be as the South Huron Panthers, Music and Habitat divisions, checked in to share a meal and make some music. After a bit of rehearsal time, we gathered in the cafeteria for a fantastic meal of gumbo, salad, chocolate cake and a surprise lesson in eating crayfish. The labour intensive but highly social sharing of crayfish provided a lot of laughs, a few screams and an experience that was definitely new for most of us.



When two groups of music students from two different cultures have the chance to spend a few short hours together it's not surprising that the music they make for each other and with one another provides an instant bond. Magic! They played and danced and it was over too soon but the evening provided memories that will stay with both groups for a long time.



Off to bed - tomorrow starts at 5:15 as we head out to our Habitat build day!

Let The Good Times Roll! Day One in the Big Easy.

Fifty-six travellers from South Huron District High School set out in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday bound for the Big Easy.  The trip, populated by senior music students as well as members of our school chapter of Habitat for Humanity, are setting out to learn a lot about the culture, history, people and music of New Orleans. 

Our first day was no disappointment.  Although many of us have been awake for almost 42 hours straight (small 5-10 minute cat naps here and there only) many would say they would do it all over again. 

We arrived in New Orleans in the mid morning on Wednesday.  We immediately took a trip to the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a collection of memorabilia related to second line parades, Mardi Gras Indians and general New Orleans street culture.  This museum, located in the historic Treme neighborhood, is owned and operated by Sylvester Francis.  The man is a fountain of knowledge and experience, and we learned a great deal from him and his daughter Dominique. 

Next up, our students were treated to a lunch and performance from legendary jazz musician Kermit Ruffins and his daugther's band.  He cooked legitimate southern chicken, catfish and wings for us, and even treated us to a performance as well. 

A highlight was when our very own Jazz Combo got up on stage and performed a couple of numbers. 

After a group photo, we were taken on a three hour city tour by local tour guide, Candy.  We learned all about the neighborhoods in New Orleans, the effect of the devistation of Katrina, as well as the amazing rebuilding efforts that are ongoing in the city.  

In what ended up being a very dramatic and meaningful end to the day, Mardi Gras Indian Cheif Shaka Zulu cooked a traditional New Orleans meal for us, as well as gave us a lecture on the history and function of Mardi Gras Indians in New Orleans.  His words and manner of delivery were incredible, and so was the food!

After a very long day (or more), we're now turning in, and getting ready for another amazing day tomorrow!

Rehearsal Schedule and Announcements - Week of Monday, October 1st, 2012

MONDAY

7:15am - Percussion Ensemble
Fanfare for Percussion
Snare - Jordan Hansen
Tom-tom - Danny T.
Cymbals - Denver
Bass drum, tamb - Greg
Timpani - Clara Stegall

8am Baile! Baile!
Snare - Michael Snopko
Bongos - Sarah K.
Timbales, cymbal - Dan P.
Agogo Bells - Brent
Jam block - Becki Orr

7:15am - Music Council (Library)

TUESDAY

7:15am - Senior Band
11:45am - White Jazz

WEDNESDAY

7:15am - Black Jazz

THURSDAY

7:15am - Senior Band
11:45am - White Jazz

FRIDAY

NO REHEARSALS - Commencement

Commencement and Awards Assembly Instructions - Senior Band 2012

Itinerary – Friday October 5th, 2012 - SHDHS Senior Band
Awards assembly: AM

Setup: Anyone available at 8:00am. Do not go to Period 1.  Come DIRECTLY to the music room/gym when you get to school. Try to be early.  Students will be coming down asap after the bell.

Section Leaders, please make sure there are adequate instruments/seating/stands/music in your section for the grads coming back in the evening. See me if there are photocopies required. Blues Brothers is the only tune they will play with us. (List of Grads on the back of this page.  Some may not attend, and I’ll keep you up to date)

No uniform is required for the awards assembly performance. Please wear something classy though (ie no blue jeans/shirts with writing on them).  For commencement, please wear your uniform (white shirt, black from the waist down)

As students come in:
COVINGTON SQUARE
FIERO (?)
Everyone stands:
O CANADA - GASSI VERSION (BIG SHEET) WATCH KEY!
As people exit: RAIDERS MARCH

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Commencement – PM

Patience and good behaviour, please!  Bring a book or something quiet to do during our long breaks.  There should be no talking or audible noise during the ceremony at all.  Also, keep in mind that you’re being watched by the audience.  No texting, cell phone use, iPods, etc, please.  Look interested, and be polite and respectful.  Limit the amount you are up and down throughout.  Only 2 people off stage at a time!

Full Uniform (White shirt, black pants/skirt, black socks, black shoes)

6:45pm: Be in the music room to tune and warmup with section leaders
7:00pm: Go to large gym with instrument/music
7:15pm: Begin “before” music

FIERO, COVINGTON SQUARE, LEGEND OF GREENSLEVES

7:30pm - Processional: POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE (Could be multiple endings.  Watch me for direction.  1 finger means repeat, 2 fingers means take second ending)

Right into O CANADA - GASSI VERSION - BIG SHEET - WATCH KEY!

Long wait

Feature piece with grads – Blues Brothers (please ensure adequate seating/instruments/music for grads in the band)

Long Wait

God Save The Queen - KEY!

Recessional: RAIDERS MARCH. Everyone helps clean up and move gear. Please make at least two trips.
Thank you all for your participation in this year’s commencement. The grads, myself and the community very much appreciate it.

Music Students Graduating (2011-12)
Geoff Baillie - Alto Sax, Guitar

Evan Clapp - Percussion

Jillian Clarke - Clarinet

Viktor Coletta - Tenor Sax

Bowen Davey - Tenor Sax

Shannon deLange - Trumpet

Katie Hartai - Percussion

Janna Henry - French Horn, Alto Sax

Grayson Homuth - Trumpet

Sarah Irons - Flute

Luisa Juhnke - Flute, Piccolo

Greg Mason - Trumpet

Mathias Memmel - French Horn, Piano

Adam Penn - Bari Sax

Morgan Pockett - Bass Clarinet

Megan Schade - Clarinet

Zac Sereda - Trombone

Sarah Snyder - Tenor Sax

Alison Stuart - Clarinet

Megan Thomas - Percussion

Miranda Upshall - Clarinet

Cole Vincent - Bass Clarinet

Jennifer Walker - Trombone

Erin Wells - Flute

Announcements

1) Our first Senior Band gig is this week!  Friday we're playing the awards assembly and commencement in the evening.  Please see the itinerary above.  See me if you have any questions, and thank you for contributing to this important milestone for our graduating students!

2) Please note that Black Jazz is starting this week!

3) Travellers to NOLA:  Please note that your next payment of $350 is now due.  Please see me with your payments immediately, or at least keep me in the loop as to when I can expect it.

4) Reminder to get your class fee ($5 or $10) as well as band fee ($10) into Mr. Moore as soon as possible as well.

See you all for another great week of rehearsal.